The California Highway Patrol responded to an accident on March 1 at 8:20 p.m. The area of the car accident was California Avenue and Cornelia Avenue.
An intoxicated driver identified as 56-year-old Sixto Flores Lopez from Fresno was driving east on California Avenue.
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Lopez then entered into the westbound lane and in front of a car driven by 44-year-old Kenda Gutierrez from Kerman.
Kerman had two children in her vehicle at the time of the accident.
Lopez sustained major injuries in the collision. He is expected to live through them. The children in Gutierrez’s vehicle sustained minor injuries.
The drivers and the children were transported to Community Regional Medical Center for treatment of the injuries they sustained during the accident.
After being released from the hospital, Lopez was arrested by the California Highway Patrol. He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
First offense DUI convictions in California can bring a sentence of 3 to 5 years of probation, DUI school that ranges from 3 to 9 months, and fines typically totaling $2000.
If the DUI offense is attributed to injury and is considered a felony, the sentencing is increased. Up to 4 years in a California State Prison with an additional 3 to 6 years if any victim is considered to have sustained great bodily injury.
Fines are often ruled upon in amounts up to $5000. This also goes against California’s Three Strikes Law if there are great bodily injuries.
A convicted felony offender will also have to undergo a court-approved DUI school for a period of 18 to 30 months. The offender will also be a Habitual Traffic Offender status for three years with a five-year license revocation.
The accident is still being investigated at this time. It is possible that after it has been completed, Lopez will face more charges.