Man Arrested on Suspicion of DUI, Manslaughter, after Passenger Dies in Crash
Huntington Beach police recently arrested a 22-year old on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter, according to a news report in The Orange County Register.
The suspect, Adrian Gomez, was arrested after he lost control, ran into a center median and slammed his 1997 Honda into a tree. The accident killed his passenger, also a 22-year-old Huntington Beach man. The incident happened about 5 a.m. Gomez himself suffered a few minor injuries and was booked on suspicion of DUI after he was treated at UCI Medical Center.
The Register article also states that this was not Gomez’s first encounter with the law. In January 2006, he pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, a felony, as well as being under the influence of a controlled substance and unauthorized possession of a hypodermic needle, both misdemeanors.
We read these stories every day. Not many drivers realize that if they drink and drive, they are putting their passengers in grave danger. Most often, as in this case, the person who is driving under the influence will be held liable, as well as criminally charged if his or her passenger dies in the crash.
If you know someone has been drinking, do not accept a ride in his or her vehicle. The danger of severe injury or even death is overwhelmingly high, as this news report reminds us.
