A man was arrested in Napa County and accused of causing a fatal single-car crash due to drunk driving. California police arrived at the scene of the 5:50 a.m. wreck to discover that a passenger was dead. They then arrested the driver on a felony drunk driving charge.

How the accident happened

Authorities reported that a man was driving a sport utility vehicle east along Highway 128 on a Sunday and failed to make a turn properly. The SUV then went down an embankment before flipping multiple times. The passenger was killed in the crash.

Police said they suspected that the 54-year-old driver was driving while impaired by alcohol. The driver was detained and booked in jail, with his bail set at $100,000. Authorities continue to investigate the crash.

Legal help

The accused man may choose to proceed to trial to fight the drunk driving charge. At trial, the prosecution must prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt — a high standard that is difficult to meet — before a conviction can occur. This standard exists to protect innocent people from being convicted of crimes they did not commit.

An alternative option is to seek a plea agreement with California prosecutors. A negotiated plea deal may result in a lighter charge and/or a more lenient sentence than what may be imposed after a guilty verdict at trial. A criminal defense attorney can help the man consider both options and will push for the best outcome for the client given the surrounding circumstances.