San Diego DUI Lawyer Blog

A suspected San Diego drunk driver crashes into a parked car and while trying to flee the scene he hits three pedestrians when he puts his car in reverse, according to the San Diego Police Department.

Three pedestrians that were standing outside The Silver Fox Lounge in Pacific Beach at 1833 Garnet Avenue were struck by a man suspected of driving under the influence about 2:00 a.m. on Friday. The San Diego DUI driver who had just smashed into a parked car had put his car in reverse while trying to escape the scene.

The three victims were taken to local hospitals. Two victims were taken to Scripps La Jolla and one to San Diego’s Sharp Memorial Hospital. One person was treated for a broken leg; the two other victims were treated for minor injuries. The suspect was driving a Ford Explorer when he fled the scene.

Witnesses were able to lead the San Diego police to the DUI suspect’s house in Clairemont where he was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

If you are suspected of driving under the influence it is in your best interest to obtain an experienced San Diego DUI lawyer to represent you. Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

3 Pedestrians Struck as Drunk Driving Suspect Tries to Flee Crash, San Diego 6 The CW, January 29, 2010

Web Related Resources

California DMV on drunk driving

California DMV if you are pulled over for a DUI

Continue reading " San Diego Drunken Driving Suspect Hits 3 People Then Tries To Flee " »

A North San Diego based Marine from Camp Pendleton has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison in a fatal DUI crash that took the life of a Newport Beach doctor and seriously injuring his wife in 2008.

Lance Cpl. Elijah Ferguson was driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding when he smashed into the back of an Aston Martin that was stopped at a red light at Jamboree Road and MacArthur Blvd. killing Dr. Michael Sein and seriously injuring his wife Grace. The DUI driver was driving about 75 mph when the fatal accident occurred on February 22, 2008.

Ferguson said “I’m sorry for what I did and for what I did not do,” meaning that he had planned to sleep off his drunkenness at Camp Pendleton before getting into his car and driving home. The intoxicated driver's blood-alcohol level was two times the legal limit.

Ferguson’s criminal defense attorney was hoping for probation, wanting his client to receive treatment at a San Diego facility for post-traumatic stress disorder. Ferguson who has no prior convictions was convicted on Dec 9 to second-degree murder and DUI charges. He was sentenced Friday to 15 years to life in prison.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

If you or someone you know is arrested for DUI in San Diego it is in your best interest to contact an experienced San Diego DUI lawyer to represent you with your drunken driving case. Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

Lance Cpl. Elijah Leigh Ferguson Faces 15 Years In Prison For DUI Manslaughter, 10news.com, January 22, 2010

Former Marine sentenced for killing doctor, The Orange County Register, January 22, 2010

Web Related Resources

California DUI guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " San Diego Marine Sentenced in Orange County Fatal DUI Crash " »

A San Diego man who was convicted in September of two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter, DUI causing injury and driving with a blood- alcohol level of .08 percent or higher was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Shannon Shrimp of El Cajon was driving under the influence of alcohol and methamphetamine when he crashed his pickup truck into a Lexus after losing control when he tried to pass other cars on state Route 78 on July 22 around 6:00 p.m. killing 52 year-old Joseph Edwards a passenger in his car.

The driver of the Lexus, 19 year-old Ian Kinney of Julian was also killed in the San Diego fatal DUI crash. His girlfriend Tessa Medearis was hospitalized for minor injuries.

The 36 year-old DUI driver’s blood alcohol level was .19 percent which is more than twice the legal limit. Shimp was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Man Sentenced For SR-78 Fatal DUI Crash, 10news.com, January 8, 2010

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

There are serious consequences when you are caught driving under the influence in San Diego. It is in your best interest to hire an experienced San Diego DUI lawyer.

Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

Web Related Resources

California DMV on California laws regarding driving while under the influence

California DMV on what happens when you’re arrested for DUI

Continue reading " San Diego Man Faces 16 Years in Prison for Fatal DUI Crash " »

In San Diego, a man suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol pleaded not guilty to DUI charges and gross vehicular manslaughter after he smashed his SUV into a car that was parked along the shoulder of a San Diego freeway killing a pregnant woman and critically injuring two others.

Joseph Anthony Venegas, who entered a not guilty plea in court, has no San Diego DUI priors is being held on $300,000 bail. The 40 year old is being charged with one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, as well as two counts of DUI causing injury. Venegas has not been charged in the death of the unborn child.

The 21 year old victim, Elaina Luquis-Ortiz, who was 6 months pregnant died at the scene of the crash that occurred on New Year’s Day. The two other victims were taken to San Diego’s Scripps Mercy Hospital where they were treated for severe injuries.

Venegas, whose blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit could be facing 16 years and eight months if convicted of the fatal San Diego DUI crash.

Man Pleads Not Guilty In Crash That Killed Pregnant Woman, 10News.com, January 13, 2010

Man Charged In DUI Crash That Killed Pregnant Woman, 10News.com, January 6, 2010
Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

Web Related Resources

California DMV on California laws regarding driving while under the influence

California DMV on what happens when you’re arrested for DUI

Continue reading " San Diego Man Involved in Fatal DUI Crash Pleads Not Guilty " »

Former San Diego anchorwoman Allison Ross was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence after taking a field sobriety test, according to San Diego police.

Ross, 55, who worked as an anchorwoman from 1978 to 1989 at KFMB-TV, appeared to be driving while intoxicated on the wrong side of the road when a San Diego police officer saw her heading toward him just before 4:00 a.m. on Sunday in the 7600 block of Fay Avenue. The officer had to move out of the way to avoid being hit.

The suspected DUI driver was pulled over on Kline Street by the officer who then administered a field sobriety test. Ross was arrested on misdemeanor DUI and taken to Santee’s Las Colinas Jail for women where bail was set at $2500.

Ross who also worked in radio is facing charges for misdemeanor DUI and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

Former News Anchor Suspected Of Drunken Driving, 10News.com, January 11,2010

Web Related Resources

California DMV on California laws regarding driving while under the influence

California DMV on what happens when you’re arrested for DUI

Continue reading " San Diego Former TV Anchorwoman Arrested for Suspected DUI " »

San Diego DUI arrests were up this holiday season compared to the same time last year, according to a 2009 Winter Holiday DUI Mobilization preliminary report.

This year there were 887 San Diego DUI arrests made while during the same time in 2008 there were only 496 arrests made for DUI around the San Diego County. Five San Diego DUI traffic fatalities were were reported compared to eight DUI related deaths last year.

The California Highway Patrol, with 13 additional law enforcement agencies around the county provided statistics that formed the 2009 Winter Holiday DUI Mobilization preliminary report.

Drinking and driving arrests over the New Year’s holiday weekend, which began on Thursday and ended at midnight Sunday, were up compared to last year as well. There were 246 DUI arrests in 2009 compared to 115 in 2008. San Diego DUI checkpoints that were set up and additional law enforcement around the county were about the same as last year.

If you are caught in a San Diego 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.

CHP: DUI Arrests Higher Than Last Year, 10News.com, January 4, 2010

REGION: Holidays see jump in DUI arrests, North County Times, January 4, 2010

Web Related Resources

California DUI guidelines about DUI

California DMV guidelines about driving under the influence

Continue reading " San Diego Drunk Driving Arrests up This Holiday Season " »