San Diego DUI Lawyer Blog

An Alpine man who has a history of driving under the influence of alcohol and was on a five day drinking binge when he struck and killed a bicyclist was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

The DUI driver, Travis Weber was driving drunk in his truck on December 2 on Alpine Boulevard when he struck and killed Eddie Costa, 33, while he was riding his bicycle. The drunk driver left the scene but was arrested by police 2 days later when friends spotted his damaged truck at a bar across from where they were holding a vigil for Costa.

This was not the first time Weber was charged with DUI. El Cajon court records state that in June of 2005 he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol level of .22. He was also arrested with misdemeanor cruelty to a child by inflicting injury in 2004.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Drunk Driver Who Killed Bicyclist Gets 11 Years in Prison,KFMB News 8, June 26,2009

Hit & Run Suspect Had Prior DUI, NBC San Diego, December 8,2008

Web Related Resources
California DMV guidelines about DUI

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A Chula Vista cyclist who was traveling across the country to protest the government bailouts was killed by a DUI hit and run driver, charges have now been filed against him.

Jim Gafney, 65, was on his “Mad As Hell Bike Ride Across U.S.” when he was struck and killed by a drunken driver about 12:40 a.m. on State Route 50, according to Illinois State Police.

Charges were filed for Leon K. Marcum, 27, the DUI driver who left the scene of the accident was first cited for misdemeanor driving under the influence and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident but after review those charges were dropped. Now he is being charged with aggravated leaving the scene of an accident involving death.

According to Attorney John Hudspeth prosecuting attorney’s may file felony DUI charges. Marcum’s blood alcohol level is also being reviewed.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure we prosecute this case appropriately given the end result-that a man lost his life,” Said Hudspeth.

Marcum’s bail is set at 100,000.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Charges filed in fatal hit-run involving local cyclist,Sign on San Diego, June 25,2009

Web Related Resources
California DMV guidelines about DUI

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A DUI sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint was set up in Imperial Beach over the weekend by Sheriff’s deputies in an effort to keep drunken drivers off the streets.

According to San Diego Sheriff’s Sgt. Jose Sanchez, the DUI checkpoint was set up last Saturday from 7:30p.m. to 2 a.m. at Ninth Street and Palm Avenue in Imperial Beach.

Vehicles driven by persons driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, unlicensed drivers or persons driving on suspended licenses will have their vehicles towed and would be placed on a 30-day hold at the drivers expense. Storing a vehicle for 30 days can cost up to $1,500.

Other DUI and sobriety checkpoints will be scheduled throughout the summer in various San Diego County areas.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

If you are caught in a DUI checkpoint, your arrest comes from professionals doing the job they are trained to do. Their goal is to keep drivers who drink to stay off the roads. In California, it is unlawful for any person under the influence of alcohol or drugs to drive.

If you have a 0.08 percent or more, be weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charges with driving under the influence or DUI if apprehended. You may face jail if you are convicted.

Imperial Beach sobriety checkpoint tonight, Sign on San Diego, June 12, 2009

Web Related Resources

California DMV: DUI procedures if you are pulled over

California DMV guidelines about Driving under the Influence

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A man suspected of drunk driving and causing a two-car crash in the South Bay area of San Diego was arrested for DUI by police after fleeing the crash scene on foot.

The DUI crash occurred on Sunday at 10:36 p.m. on Jamacha Boulevard near Sweetwater. The man suspected of driving under the influence fled the crash on foot, said the California Highway Patrol.

With the help of witnesses, CHP officers found the unidentified DUI driver after leaving the crash scene. No one was hurt.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Witnesses Help Track Down Suspected DUI Driver, San Diego News10.com, June 15, 2009

Web Related Resources

California DMV guidelines about DUI

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Not Guilty Plea to charges of DUI manslaughter for Donte Stallworth, wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns.

DUI defense lawyer Christopher Lyons entered a not guilty plea at a court hearing on Thursday on behalf of Stallworth. Stallworth, 28, who is out on $200,000 bail must not consume alcohol, drive, and is required to abide by a 12:00a.m.to 6:00 a.m. curfew, stated in court documents.

Stallworth was driving under the influence of alcohol on March 14 when he hit pedestrian Mario Reyes, 59, and killing him in Miami Beach. According to Stallworth’s blood test results, his blood alcohol level was .126. Stallworth was allegedly driving drunk at about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone.

If convicted of the DUI manslaughter charge Stallworth would be facing a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. A date for trial has not been set.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Stallworth pleads not guilty to charges, ESPN, June 4, 2009

Stallworth charged in man's death, ESPN Sports, April 2, 2009

Web Related Resources

California DMV guidelines about DUI

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A man who was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol fled the scene of a crash he allegedly caused in Escondido, was arrested shortly after being caught on foot by police officers.

The 53 year-old man crashed his sport utility vehicle into a Mercedes after running a red light at Valley Parkway and Midway Drive in Escondido. The suspected DUI driver fled the scene driving his SUV without its front wheels, which fell off in the crash, said an Escondido Police department watch commander.

Police eventually caught up to the man after he stopped the car and fled on foot. The man who did not have a driver’s license and suspected of driving while intoxicated was taken to the hospital for minor injuries. The driver of the Mercedes was also taken to the hospital for minor injuries, according to police.

The suspected drunk driver was taken into custody and booked on charges of hit and run and suspicion of DUI at the Vista jail.

Man Suspected Of DUI Arrested After Chase, 10News.com, June 4, 2009

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A DUI checkpoint that was set up on Valley Parkway in Escondido last weekend nets 8 arrests for suspicion of driving under the influence.

The DUI operation ran Saturday June 6, from 6:00 p.m. to 12:15am on Sunday June 7. Of the 2100 vehicles that went through San Diego’s North County DUI checkpoint area, 1500 were screened for various violations including impaired drivers. Eight drivers who were suspected of DUI or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol were arrested, according to Escondido Police Department Sgt. Dana Ray.

Four out of five unlicensed drivers were caught by police trying to evade the San Diego DUI checkpoint by driving the wrong way or making a u-turn.

A total of nine people were cited for driving on a suspended license, 66 cars were impounded, while 53 drivers were cited for being unlicensed. Seven people who had open containers of alcohol in their cars were cited. Three people were arrested for misdemeanors.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

8 Arrested At Escondido DUI Checkpoint, KFMB News 8, June 7, 2009

Web Related Resources
California DMV guidelines about DUI

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A retrial of a DUI crash that allegedly killed a woman near La Jolla’s University Town Center ends in mistrial.

The retrial of Poway resident John Sedej, 47, ends in a deadlock as the jury foreman told Judge Melinda Lasater, on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and two counts of driving under the influence.

This was the second mistrial in the defendant’s case which resulted 8-4 in favor of guilt. The first trial deadlocked 11-1 on the manslaughter charge, according to San Diego DUI attorney.

The DUI crash happened at 1:20 a.m.on July 13, 2007 at the intersection of La Jolla Village Drive and Genesee Avenue when Sedej allegedly ran a red light while speeding and crashed into a 2000 Ford Expedition killing Nancy Galeana-Ramirez, 28, and injuring the victim’s mother and aunt who were both riding in the backseat of the Expedition.

Sedej’s blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit, measuring at .19 percent, according to prosecuting attorney Jorge Jaramillo. If convicted he could be facing up to 13 years in prison.

“We believe the physical evidence and the light timing evidence proves Mr. Sedej did not speed or run a red light,” said DUI defense attorney Colin Murray.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California it is unlawful for any person who has a 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his blood to drive a vehicle. If you operate a vehicle while driving under the influence or DUI and are apprehended you are sure to face a fine as well as jail time if you are convicted.

Mistrial Declared In La Jolla DUI Crash Retrial, 10News.com, June 5, 2009

Web Related Resouces

California DMV guidelines about DUI

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An Orange County sheriff’s official was arrested in Irvine and charged in connection with DUI after crashing into the rear of another car.

At the time of the DUI accident Lt. Erin Lorraine Guidice, 48, was driving an unmarked OCSD car when she ran into the car in front of her at Jamboree Road. The driver of the other car was not injured in the accident.

The DUI driver’s blood alcohol level was 0.14 which is almost twice the legal limit. Guidice also had all of the characteristics of someone who is under the influence of alcohol, bloodshot and watery eyes and unsteady during a sobriety test., according to authorities.

Guidice was moved from her position as head of the Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol to another position at Theo’s Lacy Jail.

Guidice has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor counts of DUI. If convicted she could face up to six months in jail. Her arraignment is scheduled for June.

O.C. sheriff's official charged with DUI in Irvine accident, LA Now, May 29, 2009

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After a man was arrested on suspicion of DUI, a California Highway Patrol officer found what appeared to be a bomb, according to officials.

The incident occurred about 8:20 p.m.when the Sheriff’s department bomb squad unit was called in to detonate the explosive device which turned out to be a “sparkler bomb.”

James Thomas Jacquez, 41 was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence and felony possession of an explosive device on a public highway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Officer finds bomb after Oxnard traffic stop, Ventura County Star, June 2, 2009

Web Related Resources

California DMV guidelines about DUI

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A Riverside man who is accused of killing Angeles pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others in a drunken driving crash was indicted by an Orange County grand jury.

According to a news release from the office of the Orange County district attorney’s office, Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22, was indicted on driving under the influence causing injury, three counts of second degree murder, and felony hit and run.

Gallo’s blood alcohol level was 0.08 percent or more when he was arrested.

At the time the DUI crash occurred on April 9, Gallo was already on probation for a 2005 conviction of driving while intoxicated in San Bernardino County.

If Gallo is convicted of all charges, he is looking at a maximum sentence of 54 years and 8 months to life in prison. He is scheduled for a June 8th arraignment.

Ex-Riverside man accused of Angels pitcher Adenhart's death is indicted, The Press Enterprise, May 27,2009

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The assault and drunken driving conviction of a woman and friend of Steve Foley, the former San Diego Chargers Linebacker, was upheld last Friday by a state appeals court.

Lisa Maree Gaut , who was with Foley on September 3, 2006 when he was shot in the knee by an off duty Coronado police officer, was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of driving under the influence.

The night the incident occurred, Officer Aaron Mansker followed Foley’s car to his home in Poway. Gaut got into the driver’s seat and tried to run Mansker down, but he was able to get out of the way.

Judge Charles Rogers sentenced Gaut to six months in jail or work furlough in June of 2007.

Foley pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor DUI charges. He had a .21 percent blood alcohol level.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

Assault and DUI Appeal Shot Down For Foley Friend,San Diego 6 The CW, May 29, 2009

Web Related Resources:

California DMV guidelines about DUI

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