Camp Pendleton Marine Pleads Not Guilty To DUI Crash
The Marine Corps Times reported in an article on January 6, 2009, that Lance Corporal Quintin Garza, 21, pleaded not guilty to California DUI charges stemming from a fatal New Year’s Day crash on a San Diego County road.
Prosecutors allege that Garza was driving through a winding stretch of El Camino Real near Rancho Santa Fe when his vehicle collided with a parked SUV owned by Gaudencio Reyes-Quintana. Reyes-Quintana’s vehicle was stuck in the mud, and California Highway Patrol officers believe that Reyes-Quintana was standing outside of the vehicle when Garza crashed.
Garza’s attorney notes that the vicinity was foggy that night with areas of drizzle, which along with curvy roads and limited sight lines may have contributed to the car accident. Garza himself was unconscious when police officers arrived at the scene.
His vehicle, a Dodge Caliber, was found in a nearby swamp. Police believe Garza’s automobile went airborne after striking Reyes-Quintana’s immobilized SUV. Garza sustained light injuries in the auto accident and is being held in the Vista jail with bail set at $350,000.
DUI charges in California have serious circumstances and worth the attention of a legal specialist. DUI cases can be very challenging, as the prosecution often ignores other contributing facts in automobile accidents where alcohol is involved. A California DUI defense lawyer understands the nuances of a drunken driving accident in California and is able to mount an effective defense against a DUI.
Are you or someone you care for facing a DUI charge? Contact us for a case consultation.
