Gustavo Adrian Vega, a 23 year old man from Costa Mesa, California, was convicted of murder today for a Costa Mesa car accident he allegedly caused when he was driving under the influence.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Vega had a prior DUI conviction and in this car accident in Orange County, he ran a red light and then fled the scene on foot. Mr. Vega was later caught by Costa Mesa police and he had a blood alcohol level of .17%, which is over twice the legal limit in California.
Mr. Vega will face a maximum prison sentence from 19 years and eight months up to life in prison for the murder as well as felony hit and run conviction.
The victim of the Orange County hit and run collision, Cara Lee, was a passenger of the vehicle that was hit, and she was killed at the scene of the Costa Mesa accident. Her heirs may have made a Costa Mesa wrongful death claim against Mr. Vega and his insurance company.
In order to make a wrongful death claim for a loved one, it is advisable to first consult with a Costa Mesa wrongful death attorney. The wrongful death attorney in California should know all of the applicable rules and seek all appropriate damages for the loss. Our Costa Mesa personal injury law office handles wrongful death and other personal injury cases in Costa Mesa and throughout California. If you or a loved one have been hurt due to another person’s negligence, call our office right away.