Teen arrested for suspicion of felony DUI in Brisbane, California

 Posted on February 08, 2011 in Felony DUI

An 18-year-old man from South San Francisco has been arrested and faces felony DUI charges related to an alleged fatal car accident on Saturday morning. The car accident reportedly occurred around 3:20 a.m. on highway 101 in Brisbane.

The 18-year-old reportedly had gone to a bowling alley and a private party with friends on Friday night. The group of teens reportedly had all been drinking before they got into a Toyota registered to the 18-year-old's mother. While traveling toward South San Francisco on Highway 101, the group of teens reportedly was talking about the music playing on the radio.

Traffic was snarled on 101 from an accident that had occurred earlier in the wee morning hours. The 18-year-old driver is believed to have looked up at the last second as the Toyota approached the traffic snarl. The 18-year-old reportedly attempted to avoid the traffic and swerved across two lanes. The Toyota allegedly slammed into the rear of another car on the highway.

A 17-year-old passenger in the back seat of the Toyota was thrust forward when the Toyota allegedly rear-ended the other car. The passenger suffered fatal injuries in the crash.

The 18-year-old driver was arrested after the accident and charged with several felony counts related to the crash, including vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, gross negligence and driving under the influence causing injury.

The driver appeared in San Mateo County Superior Court for arraignment on Monday afternoon. The teen currently is being held without bail. The South San Francisco man faces up to 11 years in prison if convicted at trial.

Source: San Jose Mercury News, "South San Francisco teen in jail, San Jose girl dead after DUI crash," Joshua Melvin 7 Feb 2011