In a recent article by The Press-Enterprise reporting the final outcome of the case of Michael Dwayne Hughes, the 34-year-old man was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison. Hughes was under the influence on the night of Jan. 8, 2013 when he broadsided a PT Cruiser that turned in front of him. As a result of going 63 mph in a 55 and breaking suddenly when the PT Cruiser made an illegal left turn in front of Hughes, the impact caused the PT cruiser to overturn. The collision killed the driver of the PT cruiser, 56-year-old Le Mason and her 12-year-old granddaughter Kylan and Kylan’s best friend Haven. The Press-Enterprise reported that though Hughes was arrested the night of the crash, the case dragged on after the District Attorney’s Office requested that Colton police conduct a deeper investigation into the case. The case dragged on for four and a half years after the crash due to change of attorneys by Hughes but finally came to a close on July 18, 2017.
Despite criminal charges by the County district attorney, Hughes can also face personal injury claims from victims in civil court, and DMV administrative hearings. Hughes will now face 45 years in jail, this is a tremendous time in prison that he will never be able to get back. The lost time with family and friends will alter his life forever and upon release he will likely not resemble the same man who entered law enforcement’s custody. Even after Hughes is released, he could face a tremendous amount of debt from legal fees and restitution that could inhibit his ability to live a normal life.
After traffic accidents involving death, the DMV can suspend or revoke licenses at their administrative hearings specifically known as “fatality hearings”. Regardless of criminal charges, the DMV is obligated to keep drivers safe by removing unsafe drivers from California roadways. Fatality hearings are a branch of negligent operator hearings and license suspension and revocation is the DMV’s primary means to doing so when a driver is classified as a negligent operator. As a suspension a or revocation, as well as ability to earn and survive are at risk for the driver at fault, it is important for drivers who have been in an accident resulting in a fatality to do their research in order to find a qualified team of DMV experts that can expertly represent them in their administrative hearings at the DMV. An expert that will dedicate their time and effort in order to ensure that their client will achieve the best possible outcome in their favor is one that will be needed in such a strenuous case.
California Drivers Associates is a firm that can help defend people at fatality and negligent operator hearings when their license and driving privileges are at risk of suspension or revocation. Rob Collier is the President and CEO of California Drivers Advocates. Mr. Collier is a Distinguished Graduate of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Academy and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Special Weapons and Tactics School. As a member of an Orange County DUI task force, Mr. Collier has made more than 1,000 arrests for DUI. He has also written or reviewed more than 4,000 DUI arrest reports. Visit Rob and his team at their website or contact them at 1-888-281-5244 as they will be happy to answer any questions you may have at a no cost obligation.
