A San Diego drunken driver who took the life of a Sheriff’s Deputy when he drove on the wrong side of the freeway was sentenced Friday to state prison
Sheriff’s Deputy Ken Collier was killed while in pursuit last February 28, when Jose Pedro Lopez Jasso drove while under the influence of marijuana, methamphetamine drugs and alcohol. The San Diego DUI driver had a blood-alcohol level of .14 percent. Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Pepin said in a statement “You ended the life of a great man.”
Lopez’ San Diego DUI lawyer argued for probation stating that his client was young and had no prior criminal record, but Judge Laura Halgren turned down the DUI defense attorney’s request and saying that his obvious disregard for others safety was “outrageous.” If the DUI driver had stopped as soon as he noticed that he was headed in the wrong direction, there would not have been a fatal pursuit.
The 23 year-old DUI defendant was sentenced by a San Diego Superior Court Judge to almost 8 years in prison for the fatal San Diego DUI crash, receiving 6 years plus a year for vehicular manslaughter and an additional 8 months for carrying a weapon in jail.
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 a 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.
Driver Responsible for Deputy’s Death Sentenced, NBC San Diego. January 8, 2011
Man Guilty Of DUI, Killing Deputy Sentenced, 10News.com, January 7,2011
Web Related Resources
California DMV on California laws regarding driving while under the influence
