Fifth DUI Proves Fatal

Rebecca Vela was 18 years old at her first DUI arrest, 13 when she started drinking and now, at 34, and on her fifth arrest, her addiction has caused a fatality, as reported by the Sacramento Bee.

On April 18, 2009, Vela, speeding at over 70 mph, struck and killed 54 year-old Stanley Spaeth Jr.  Her trial for second-degree murder just concluded with Vela receiving a 15-years-to-life sentence.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving, MADD, have watched  the Vela case and see it as an example of why the state of California needs to make DUI penalties stronger.

Russell Miller, Vela's attorney argued that it's the criminal justice system that is at fault, as a judge should have sent her into an in-custody rehabilitation program instead of jail.

Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Grippi said, "I think (the case) says more about certain individuals than about DUI laws in California.  Unfortunately, you cannot legislate personal responsibility, and you can't legislate a sense of morality."

Vela's first offense was in 1994 at the age of 18.  She spent 15 days in jail and was given three years of probation.  She was arrested again for DUI in 1995 and 1996 but, as she didn't injure anyone, only had to pay fines.

In the state of California, DUIs without injury are not felonies until the fourth offense occurs within a 10-year period.  Until then the offender is only charged with misdemeanors.

By 2000 Vela had her fourth offense. She spent a year in county jail and received five years of probation.

Vela then attended a one-year program at Sacramento's treatment Center, Promise House, and stayed sober for approximately eight years. Miller said she was sober until her grandfather, and then her alcoholic father, both died. Around the same time, Vela also ended a long relationship with her son's father.

She went back to drinking. On April 18, 2009, while watching a video of her father's funeral, Vela drank alcohol. Her designated driver left the keys in the ignition of the car, briefly, and Vela seized her opportunity.

While traveling on East Stockton Boulevard, in Elk Grove, she rear-ended Spaeth's motorcycle. With the motorcycle still wedged under her car, she continued to drive until she struck a sound wall and came to a stop in a backyard. 

A program specialist for MADD in California, Silas Miers, said, "We need to push harder against repeat offenders. She knew what the dangers were, but she continued the behavior anyway. Just because they haven't killed anybody yet doesn't mean they're not a danger or a split second away from causing death or injury."

Miller said that a judge - aware of an individual offender's history - should be trusted to make the calls on how to sentence.

Miller said, "Is this a person who truly has a disease, or is this person just irresponsible? There's a difference."

If you are facing a trial for DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI, contact a DUI attorney in our directory that can help you with your case.