A man has been arrested in California and charged with driving under the influence. The arrest took place on a recent Thursday. An 18-year-old woman died in the accident.

Events leading to the DUI arrest

The alleged DUI accident took place when a man driving along a road collided with some concrete barricades. He had three passengers in his vehicle at the time of the crash. A female passenger, 18, passed away at the accident scene. Two others, ages 17 and 16, suffered injuries in the collision.

Police said they believed alcohol or drugs were causal factors in the crash. The man was arrested on vehicular manslaughter and DUI charges, then jailed after the wreck. He later posted bond. It was not immediately clear when his next court date would be.

How an attorney can help

The man who was arrested in connection with the alleged California DUI accident may go to trial to fight the formal charges. At trial, the prosecution must prove the accusations before any conviction can occur. If the evidence the prosecution plans to present in court appears to be strong, the man may want to seek a plea agreement instead. A plea deal might lead to lighter charges and/or a lighter sentence than what may result from a guilty verdict at trial. A criminal defense attorney can help the man make the most expedient decisions considering the circumstances and protect his rights each step of the way.