San Diego DUI Attorney Blog

Tragedy struck the town of Bakersfield, California, on Thursday August 6 when Maria Rodriguez, a 54 year-old mother of eight and grandmother of 15, was hit by a speeding DUI driver while crossing the street. Rodriguez, who was a native of Mexico who became a full-fledged U.S. citizen in 2004, died at the scene.

The incident occurred at around 10:00 pm, when she crossed Height Street. Allegedly, a car saw Ms. Rodriguez and stopped to let her pass. But then another driver, who had been racing down at speeds approaching 100 mph, swerved around the first car and ran over the victim. The driver, a 25 year-old man named Louis Munoz Jr., fled from the scene. Bakersfield police gave chase, pulled him over, and then jailed him on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while DUI, hit and run, and felony DUI. Mr. Munoz Jr. is being held on a bail of $130,000.

For the heartbroken children and grandchildren of Ms. Rodriguez, the pain of this tragedy must be overwhelming. If the allegations are true, Mr. Munoz Jr. could face a lengthy prison sentence as well as steep fines and other punishment and penalties, including loss of his driver’s license.

If you or loved on has tragically been involved in a felony DUI or a fatal DUI accident in San Diego, never flee from the scene. Doing so can exacerbate your problems and potentially add years to your prison sentence. Instead, get medical help as soon as possible, and contact a San Diego County DUI lawyer, such as Stephen R. Brodsky. The better you understand your rights and obligations under the law, the better your chances will be of defending against the charges against you. If you need help now -- whether it’s the middle of the night or even a holiday -- call Attorney Brodsky for a free, no obligation, and confidential consultation at 1-800-GOOD-ADVICE. Or to learn more about the consequences of being arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter while DUI in California, peruse Attorney Brodsky’s website at WWW.CRIMINALATTORNEYSANDIEGO.COM.