What can I expect?
Some background: I’m 30 y/o with no criminal history. Was involved in a car accident with another vehicle (bmw sedan) with 4 passengers, all adults in their early 20’s. I had no passengers in my car (pickup truck). This happened in Santa Clara, CA.
Accident occurred at an intersection where I proceeded to make a turn on a two way stop, not seeing/noticing there was a vehicle approaching from my left. My car was t-boned as a result and flipped on its side. Other car was totaled from the front.
Both parties were transported to the hospital that night. I had a fractured ankle and some lacerations. Other party sustained lacerations as well, with the only female in the vehicle sustaining the worst injuries (pelvic fracture and complaining of pain on her head).
My BAC was .167 (blood drawn at hospital after I refused a breathalyzer) and was charged with a Felony DUI and Felony DUI causing GBI. I admitted to drinking earlier that night celebrating my partners birthday.
Just to add, not sure if it matters:
The female passenger in the other vehicle admitted to not wearing her seatbelt properly and being drunk so not remembering where she was coming from. I believe they were all coming from a party or partying since marijuana was found in their vehicle. I’m not sure if they also got the drivers BAC, but I didn’t see it in the police report.
Also, on the police report it says police interviewed 2 residents who live right in front of the street where the accident happened and mentioned they were woken up by the sound of revving and speeding, sounding like a “smaller sports car” was going over 70mph and subsequently hearing a loud crash. In the police body cam, they also show a different witness who stated they saw the bmw speeding at what looked to be excess of 70mph before crashing.
The driver and female passenger were not cooperating with the investigating officer when contacted days after the accident. The driver was adamant about obtaining the police report and did not want to provide an update on injuries.
Posted Sep 12, 2023, 2:24 AM UTC