Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
While Michigan DUI defense lawyers realize that drunk driving does not always end in tragedy, all too often it does. On Sunday, July 20, a 22-year-old woman was killed in a rollover crash in Santa Rosa. Sarai Torres-Nunez was riding in a Honda SUV driven by Antonio Moreno-Murillo, when Moreno-Murillo took an off-ramp from Highway 12 then sped through a red light before flipping over and crashing into a tree.
California Highway Police Officer Marcus Hawkins said that the driver of the SUV swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle after running the red light, then drove onto an on-ramp where he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to roll over before crashing into a metal guardrail and tree. Torres-Nunez was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Moreno-Murillo was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries, although reports do not indicate whether those injuries were serious. He was arrested at the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and charged with probation violation, driving with a suspended license, gross vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence, and suspicion of driving under the influence causing death.
Antonio Moreno-Murillo is 21 years old, and will now likely face substantial prison time along with other penalties. However, a 22-year-old girl has lost her life because someone who was apparently not sober decided to put both of their lives at risk by getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Those who have a had a few drinks often have a false sense of what they are capable of doing. Most people believe they are completely in control, and able to safely operate a vehicle; this is not usually the case. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances such as drugs can result in catastrophe, as indicated in the story above. Even when a crash is not the result, being pulled over on suspicion of DUI is serious, and may result in the driver being arrested and ultimately facing penalties that include jail/prison time, fines, community service, a suspended driver’s license, criminal record, and more.
If you have been charged with a drunken driving offense, contact a skilled and aggressive Michigan DUI defense lawyer immediately to ensure your legal rights and freedom are protected.