19 year old Alyssa Gonzales has been
sentenced to 6 years in prison for causing a fatal crash that took the life of David
Torres Sr. of Fresno last July. As reported by abc30.com, she was driving under the
influence of an anti-epileptic drug, Lyrica, when she caused the accident on
June 5th, last year.
As per Fresno police, Gonzales was
traveling south on Blackstone Avenue at an unsafe speed in a blue Jaguar when
she lost control while attempting to turn west onto Shields Avenue. Her vehicle
hit the center median and rammed into Torres’ white Toyota which as stationary
on eastbound Shields.
As a result of the crash, Torres was
serious injured and died four hours later. At the sentencing, Judge Jonathan
Conklin of Fresno County Superior said that the defendant had made a wrong
decision to drive while under the influence of drugs. Incidentally, the drug
slows down impulses in the brain that can otherwise cause seizures. Should she
be driving at all?
In January this year, Gonzales’ drunk
driving accident lawyer had her plead guilty to
gross vehicular manslaughter while qualifying for a DUI in order to
avoid a trial. She also pleaded guilty to several other charges that include
driving without a license, speeding, and driving under the influence of a drug
in return for a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Very sad. Now her life has just been
delayed and someone else is gone – someone who was innocent.
Defense Argues for Lesser Sentence
While they entered a plea deal, Gonzales
drunk driving accident attorney argued that since his client owned up to her
responsibility she should be given probation. What?! She killed someone! Why
was she driving at all?! He claimed that she did not get drunk at a bar but
took pills she wasn’t familiar with. When they took effect, she did not drive
but went to sleep and then decided to drive while still groggy, which was a
wrong decision. Her defense lawyer also claimed she repeatedly inquired about
the victim’s condition and was remorseful.
Prosecution Pushes for Maximum Sentence
On the other hand, the prosecution
argued for the maximum penalty claiming that Gonzales was aware of the dangers
of driving under the influence. The prosecutor also claimed that the defendant
had a history of drug abuse and the she had told authorities that she was
furious because some of her family members were also victims of drunken
drivers.
Nevertheless, Gonzales continued to call
the fatal crash a freak accident although Judge Conklin reminded her that she
made the choice after admitting that she was feeling drowsy and disoriented.
The judge reaffirmed that Gonzales must face the consequences regardless of her
intent or lack thereof.
Why was she speeding as well? She could
not negotiate the turn.
Gonzales is likely to be in prison until
she is 24 years old and plans to educate others about the dangers of driving
under the influence of prescription drugs after her release. What does that
pay? College and a job should be the goals here.
Legal experts are of the opinion that
the victim’s family can claim compensation following the DUI accident through
a wrongful death lawsuit.
California DUI Laws
According to drunk driving accident
lawyers, California has a zero tolerance policy where those under 21 are liable
to be charged with a DUI for even the slightest detectable level of alcohol or
drugs in their blood when are they are driving. Penalties include 1 year
suspension of the driver’s license, mandatory DUI school, fines up to $1,000, 3
to 5 years of DUI probation, and/or prison time.
The punishment increases if anyone is
killed in the accident. Since California has adopted the implied consent law,
it is important to point out that refusing to submit to sobriety tests can
result in an automatic 1 year license suspension.
If
you have been injured or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of a drunk
driver, make sure to reach out to a judicious drunk driving accident
lawyer as soon as possible. The same holds well if you have been charged with a
DUI. There are several defenses that may pertain to your case, which only a DUI
legal professional will be able to identify and exploit.
Did someone else damage your life? Did
someone else take a loved one away from you? You need to make this right.
Financial compensation is the only way, well, prayers and faith matter too in
stressful times. Go right here: Drunk-Driving-Accident.USAttorneys. This website is the digital answer to your very real
problems. But these problems can be solved and someone else needs to pay.
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