A 29-year-old man was taken into custody in California on DUI and manslaughter charges. The arrest took place following a crash on a recent Sunday morning. One person died in the car accident. 

Events leading to the man’s DUI arrest 

The alleged DUI accident took place at around 1:54 a.m. along State Route 76. Police said the accused man was driving east and ended up losing control of his car. The vehicle then reportedly collided with a tree along the south shoulder of the road. 

A rear passenger in the car, said to be 30 years old, passed away in the wreck. A front passenger suffered injuries. Authorities reported they believed speed and alcohol were the causal factors in the crash. The driver, who also suffered injuries in the crash, was accused of driving while impaired and causing someone’s death due to driving negligently.  

How a criminal defense attorney can help 

The man who was accused of DUI in California has the right to go to trial to fight the criminal charges filed against him. At trial, prosecutors must prove the charges in court and beyond a reasonable doubt — a standard that is often difficult to meet — before a court may return a conviction against the man. Alternatively, the accused man may seek a plea deal, which might result in lesser charges and a more lenient sentence than what might result from a guilty verdict at trial. A criminal defense attorney will ultimately pursue the best outcome possible for his or her client.