Judge Gives Driver Minimum Sentence In Fatal DUI

By Gold & Witham  Oct. 18, 2011 9:32a

Los Angeles Driver Ends Life Of Passenger While Intoxicated Behind The Wheel

A court sentenced a man charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and taking the life of a young women to the lowest possible prison term, noting his exemplary conduct and behavior before the accident.

According to court documents, the driver was a 21-year-old aspiring nurse, whose friends and family testified that he had never had any trouble with the law prior to the incident.

On the night of the fatal crash, police were notified of a traffic collision that took place in the early hours of the morning on March 14^th. California Highway Patrolmen rushed to the scene of the crime, where the found the wreckage of the defendants' vehicle, along with the driver and a friend sitting outside. Law enforcement officers noticed that the driver appeared dazed.

Emergency responders were unable to save the life of a 21-year-old woman who had been sitting in the front passenger seat, who succumbed to the severe blunt force head trauma she had received in the collision.

Light Sentence Awarded For Guilty Plea

The driver was taken into police custody, where a blood alcohol content test confirmed that he was legally intoxicated, with a .10 percent BAC level.

During his trial, relatives of the victim asked the judge to impose a fair sentence on the slayer of their daughter. The victim had moved recently from China to the United States, where she hoped to further her ambitions in the field of dancing. Those close to her said she had earned acclaim in dance competitions in Hong Kong and England.

The defendant chose not to contest his charges, pleading guilty and throwing himself upon the mercy of the court. The judge, appreciating his decision to spare the victim's family a drawn out legal battle, and noting his lack of a criminal record, decided to impose a lenient sentence.

The driver will serve a prison term of no less than four years and four months for the crime of felony DUI.

A Los Angeles DUI Attorney Can Help You Today

There are many complicated factors involved in successfully defending against a DUI charge. Sometimes it may be better to plead guilty, other times the facts may be in your favor. Knowing the correct actions to take to ensure the best outcome in your case requires skill and experience in the field of DUI defense. At Gold & Witham, a dedicated Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer can help you make the right decisions in order to best protect your interests! Our defense team has a proven record of courtroom excellence, representing a variety of clients against different drunk driving charges.

To discuss the details of your case, contact a Los Angeles DUI defense attorney at Gold & Witham right away!