Pasadena DUI Experts Explore Vehicular Manslaughter Case in Santa Ana

Last Friday, 53-year-old Jeffrey David Kirby of Costa Mesa was sentenced for felony vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence in Southern California. In March 2009, Kirby lost control of his 2004 Ferrari and smashed into Charles David Lewis, a famous mixed martial arts entrepreneur and founder of the closing line TapouT.

Lewis had been driving so fast that his sports car ripped in half upon smashing into a light pole.

Although most arrests for DUI in Burbank, DUI in Pasadena, Glendale DUI and Los Angeles DUI are far less “drama filled” and headline grabbing, Kirby’s actions both before, during, and after the crash read like he showed persistently poor judgment.

First of all, consider the fact that Kirby had a DUI conviction back in 2002. After getting that conviction, Kirby was given a warning called the Watson Advisement — this is a formal way of reminding you that driving under the influence can be lethal. If, after receiving this advisement, you then go out and commit a DUI injury or kill someone while DUI, your penalties can be ratcheted up significantly. You could even face a Pasadena DUI murder charge in extreme cases.

Second, consider that Kirby fled the accident scene after he rammed into Lewis. Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in and of itself – a so-called “hit and run” – and it could be charged and punished separately.

Finally, according to prosecutors, Kirby had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over twice the Southern California legal limit of 0.08% a full two hours after the accident. In certain cases, if you have an extremely high BAC level, prosecutors can ask for additional charges, such as bigger fines and longer time in jail.

In Kirby’s case, he escaped a DUI murder charge, but he did get convicted under the California Vehicle Manslaughter Law and got a nine-year prison sentence for the DUI death.

In a typical Pasadena DUI vehicular manslaughter, prosecutors will check out police reports and reports from other agencies to figure out how to charge the defendant.

A qualified Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who has experience in homicide cases can probe the accident by interviewing experts, reconstructing the scene of the accident, reviewing toxicology reports and poring over relevant documents or witness statements to help you build a creditable and powerful defense.

Connect with Pasadena DUI defense attorney Michael Kraut for an immediate and free consultation. The Pasadena branch of the Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers is located at 790 East Colorado Boulevard, 9th floor, Pasadena, California 91101 Phone: (626) 345-1899. Not only does Attorney Kraut have a spectacular record at jury trials and a wealth of experience as a former prosecutor (14+ years working for the city prosecuting DUI cases) which he leverages to help his defense clients, but he also understands applicable law both in theory and practice. He has delivered best results for clients even in complicated and highly technical cases.
he defendant.

If you have been arrested for a DUI in Pasadena or you are under investigation for driving under the influence in Southern California, please contact Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Michael Kraut for 24/7 assistance by phone at (323) 464-6453 or toll free at (888) 334-6344 or online.