Driver Sentenced To Fifteen Years For DUI In Orange County

After ruling on a drunk driving incident in 2010 that caused serious injury to five pedestrians, including two 2-year old girls, a judge sentenced the driver to fifteen years in prison. The Santa Ana native was charged by the Orange County District Attorney's Office with multiple felonies in connection with accident, a fact that contributed to his lengthy term.

According to a spokesperson with the Orange County DA's Office, the defendant was convicted by a jury of felony DUI causing bodily injury, as well as felony driving with a blood alcohol content over .08 percent. He was also found guilty of two counts of mayhem. The forty-four year old man from Santa Ana also faced sentencing enhancement, the spokesperson clarified, due to the grievous injury that he caused to a two-year old girl and her mother.

Police Report Heavy Intoxication By Suspect Several Hours After Collision

According to documents filed by attorneys involved in the case, the accident occurred on September 6^th, 2010, in the evening. At approximately 7:45 p.m., the police report indicates, the defendant drove his SUV off the road and onto the sidewalk, where he struck a wall. The Chevy Suburban continued along the sidewalk, where it collided with a mother and her daughter, trapping them underneath the vehicle.

The driver continued forward with both victims caught beneath the wheel. The two were dragged across the street for more than fifty feet, until the SUV struck three more pedestrians, including a second child, before coming to a halt. The two initial victims were hospitalized and received treatment for multiple fractures, as well as severe burns. Despite the severe injuries sustained, fortunately, all of the victims survived the incident.

Law enforcement officers reported that the suspect appeared intoxicated at the scene, displaying slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and smelling of alcohol. He was taken into police custody, and upon submitting to a blood alcohol test more than two hours later, recorded a blood alcohol content level of .20 percent, significantly more than the legal limit of .08.

A Personal Injury Lawyer Is On Your Side

If you need representation from a skilled attorney in Orange County, it is of utmost importance that you contact the legal team at The Law Office of Bruce C. Bridgman today. Our law firm is dedicated to helping victims of automobile accidents hold their tormentors responsible for their actions. Driving under the influence of alcohol is incredibly dangerous, and those who harm others should be held accountable. Speak with an attorney at our firm to learn more about the legal options you have at your disposal right away.