On behalf of Law Offices of Kathleen G. Alvarado posted in criminal law on Friday, August 17, 2018.
A recent accident on a Riverside freeway left two people dead and one person seriously injured. All of the victims were in one car, and driver of the other car is now facing allegations that he was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Additional criminal charges could be filed against the man in connection with this accident.
According to police, the man who now stands accused of driving under the influence was the only occupant of the second car involved in this tragic accident. According to California Highway Patrol officers, in the overnight hours, emergency dispatch received a report of a car going the wrong way on the freeway.
A few moments later, a second report indicated that the car had hit another vehicle that was going with the flow of traffic.
Police suggested that it is easy for drivers who have had too much to drink to accidentally start traveling the wrong way on major highways and encouraged drivers who have to be on the freeway at night to use the right lane, as wrong-way drivers will typically travel in the other lane.
Police were mum about what additional evidence they have that proves the driver who caused this accident was actually under the influence.
However, in criminal court, it is going to take a lot more than that the driver went the wrong way to prove he deserves to be convicted and, in all likelihood, sent to prison for months or even years. Even though driving the wrong way is a very serious error, it is not in and of itself criminal, and police and prosecutors will have to prove several other things before securing convictions. They will also have to prove that their investigation was legally conducted and did not violate the accused’s rights.
For his part, this man will likely want a strong defense that will likely involve getting the help of an experienced criminal law attorney.