A man with two past convictions for drunk driving, has pleaded not guilty to four new felony charges stemming from a DUI resulting in the death of another person, as reported by Bakersfield Now.
Police claim that M.J., 33, almost struck two other vehicles just before the crash that took the life of B.W., 18, and wounded her four passengers.
M.J. was also noted for being under the influence of alcohol.
The accident occurred as M.J. drove the wrong direction – south in the northbound lanes - near the Stockdale Highway on Coffee Road. An officer's report states that before the fatality M.J. "nearly colliding with two separate vehicles."
The injuries to B.W.'s passengers ranged from "a lacerated kidney to multiple facial fractures."
One of B.W.'s passengers who was also a friend, J.G., told reporters, "When you drink and drive, you're not only risking getting a DUI and screwing up your entire future, you're risking your life. (B.W.) shows that."
The four felony charges against B.W. include second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing great bodily injury, and hit and run.
J.G., allegedly suffering with neck and head injuries added, "She (B.W.) saved our lives. She made a little bit of a swerve. And if she didn't, didn't do that little bit of a swerve, there probably would be a lot more hurt people."
Officers stated that at the crash scene M.J. displayed "signs of alcohol intoxication" such as blood-shot eyes, slurred speech and he smelled of alcohol. M.J. refused to take all of the tests, however, a legal blood draw was taken.
The police report includes information that M.J. had two prior convictions for DUI.
Reporters checked over M.J.'s records in the Kern County Court system and found a 1997 guilty plea to driving with a license that had been suspended or revoked due to DUI, a 2005 DUI charge, a 2005 guilty plea for speeding and driving with a revoked license and a 2009 charge for driving on a suspended license, due to DUI, again.
M.J., held on $1.2 million bail, was allegedly yelling and being uncooperative with officers at the crash scene.
M.J. is scheduled for court in January.
J.G., among other of B.W.'s friends, are hoping that her death will remind people of the lessons that need to be learned before a person chooses to get behind the wheel drunk. A.G. said, "Hopefully, this changes a lot of people's minds about drinking and driving. Hopefully it turns my life around.
Nancy Chaffin, the spokeswoman with the DUI program, "Life Interrupted", commented, "There are consequences to all your actions. For drivers who get behind the wheel that have been drinking, there could be severe consequences to you and to others…We went 18 months without a crash."
Contact a DUI attorney if you are facing charges stemming from DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI. An experienced DUI attorney can help you with plea bargaining that can help lessen your jail time and fines.