Highway 50 Drunk Driver Sentenced
A drunk driver who was underage at the time of an accident last August 11, 2018, was recently sentenced. The accident occurred when his Range Rover was merging into traffic at Harbor Boulevard onto Highway 50. It crashed into a big rig and rolled three times. The occupants of the Range Rover were identified as Dru Skye Hernandez, 20, another man and a pregnant female. The two males suffered minor injuries. However, the female, who was close to delivering her child, suffered more significant injuries. These included bruising caused by her seat belt and an injury to the spleen as well as cuts along her wrists and arms. The fetus was not injured by the crash and was born without any problems several weeks later.
Details of the Accident
The two young men were driving to West Sacramento, where a friend lived. It was the first time the three had met. Hernandez, who was driving, and the other male had been drinking wine or beer for several hours shortly before the accident occurred. It appeared as though at least one of the males continued drinking while in the vehicle on their way to West Sacramento.
Testimony in the Case
The female testified about what had happened that day. She said that the male passenger in the vehicle had been drinking in the SUV. Hernandez asked for a drink and sipped on the beer, which was in a red cup, just moments before the accident. The female said she still had shoulder pain, which would not permit her to lift objects that were heavy or hold her baby for very long. She stated that the driver, Hernandez, threw away the red cup and beer bottle after the collision. This was confirmed by a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer.
Officers Testify in Drunk Driver Case
Another officer, who arrived at the crash site, said the drunk driver smelled of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet and showed other signs of intoxication. He did not do well on the sobriety tests that were administered. Blood tests administered to Hernandez showed BAC levels of 0.11 and 0.12. A test administered after his arrest read 0.13.
Last Witness Gives Testimony
The male passenger in the vehicle admitted they were drinking wine before driving to West Sacramento. Once they entered the vehicle, he said he drank a beer, but Hernandez did not consume more alcohol. He also said that it was he who tossed out the cup and beer bottle.
Charges and Sentencing of Drunk Driver
The original charges against Hernandez were DUI resulting in injury and driving with a BAC level that exceeded 0.08. Because the defendant had a clean driving record and was underage, his charges were reduced to a misdemeanor. He was sentenced to three years probation and a license suspension for one year. He will be required to wear an ankle bracelet that monitors his alcohol level for half a year and can have it removed if there are no violations after 30 days.
Hernandez was ordered to attend a DMV monitored program for 90 to 180 days. If the program is not completed satisfactorily, he will be jailed for 50 days. Hernandez will also be required to install an ignition interlock device on his car for 12 months. He also owes a fine of more than $3,000 plus other penalties. This will be addressed in a special hearing in the future.
Seeking Advice Following an Accident Injury
If a drunk driver caused your injuries, you may be entitled to claim personal injury damages. An experienced lawyer can look over the evidence in the case, deal with the insurance company and conduct an independent investigation. By using accident reconstruction or expert witnesses, a strong case can be built for compensation in civil court.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Drunk drivers injure many people every year. If you were injured, you may be able to obtain fair compensation to pay medical bills, lost wages, and other costs. Contact me at (916) 921-6400 for my free and friendly advice. You can also reach me at (800) 404-5400. Some prefer to use our online contact page.
Among the legal associations and groups I belong to are:
- Million Dollar Advocates: Invites only trial lawyers who have won more than $1 million for a client.
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel: Allows lawyers with excellent standards in legal representation.
Since 1982, I’ve helped Sacramento residents obtain fair compensation for their personal injuries. I represent them in all kinds of motor vehicle crashes, wrongful deaths, and other areas.
You can learn more about my law practice by visiting the following sites:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/drink-driving-drunk-alcohol-808790/
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