Man Accused of DUI Faces Homicide Charges in Georgia

A driver now faces homicide by vehicle and DUI charges after an accident which has left a man brain-dead. The accident occurred on Jimmy Carter Boulevard at the intersection with Singleton Road, in unincorporated Norcross, GA.

Diego Romero, age 31, was traveling westbound on Jimmy Carter Boulevard while approaching the intersection of Singleton Road, traveling in the left lane. He was driving a Lexus LS400 at the time of the accident. Another driver, Manuel Esteves-Sabino, age 37, was stopped at the intersection of Jimmy Carter Boulevard at the traffic light while driving a grey Toyota Corolla.

As Romero approached the intersection, he decided to change to the middle lane, but in the process, the front of his vehicle slammed into the back of Esteves-Sabino's vehicle. Both vehicles spun around and ended up in the southbound lanes of Singleton road.

Both drivers suffered very serious injuries and were taken to the hospital. As part of the investigation into the accident, the Gwinnett County Police Accident Investigation Unit (AIU) discovered that Romero was likely under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were impounded and taken to police headquarters as part of the investigation.

Esteves-Sabino was later declared brain-dead at the hospital. Romero now faces charges of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and homicide by vehicle, first degree.

A charge of homicide by vehicle is an extremely serious charge with serious penalties. If you or someone you care about faces similar DUI related charges, an experienced DeKalb County DUI attorney is here to help.

Homicide by Vehicle Charges in Georgia

A person is charged with homicide by vehicle, first degree, when:

• without malice aforethought;
• a death is caused by the person either unlawfully:
• passing a school bus,
• reckless driving,
• fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, or
• leaving the scene of an accident.

For those charged with a first-degree offense related to DUI, they are most often charged under the "reckless driving" category. 

Penalties for Homicide by Vehicle

If convicted of homicide by vehicle, first degree, a person faces the following penalties:

• a minimum of three years in prison, and
• up to a maximum possible term of fifteen years in prison.

The charge is also a felony, which means that your right to vote will be affected, and your ability to maintain and gain future employment will likely be severely impacted. The person charged will also very likely lose their right to drive, possibly for an extended period of time.

The person could also face a civil suit by the family for damages, meaning your finances could be significantly affected.

Consult an Experienced DeKalb County DUI Attorney

If you or someone you care about is faced with homicide by vehicle charges, a charge of DUI, or other related charges, you need an experienced DeKalb County DUI attorney to defend your case and protect your constitutional rights. Just because you are charged with a crime does not mean that you are guilty.

Contact us today for a free consultation of your case.