How many chances should someone have to reform their ways if they keep on hurting people, causing them personal injury or taking lives?  When is it safe to say that enough is enough and finally stop them?

Sometimes, the answer is too late to prevent a wrongful death.

As reported in the San Diego Union Tribune, Richard Alfred Daus, 74, was arrested this week on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence (DUI) for a fatal El Cajon accident.  This is not Daus’ first brush with the law.  If convicted, he could serve 15 years to life in prison.

Our firm’s El Cajon car accident lawyers advocate for stricter laws regarding repeated drunk-driving offenders, but we also want to educate you about the dangers of being intoxicated behind the wheel.  It took a wrongful death to yet again highlight the dangers, but no one else should have to die to learn a simple lesson.  Daus might receive a tougher sentence because of prior trouble with the law — a reckless homicide back in the 1950s.

Randy Eugene Smith, 66, was killed while eating breakfast at an El Cajon Carl’s Junior on Januray 3, 2010 when Daus’ crashed his Honda SUV into the side of the restaurant.  Smith died at the scene, described as a regular who ate breakfast at the fast food establishment on a regular basis.

The legal limit in California for blood-alcohol level content is 0.08 percent.  Two hours after the crash, Daus’ BAC was recorded at 0.22 percent, nearly three times over the limit.  His record shows that the homicide he was convicted for in 1950s also involved a car.

Our auto accident attorneys believe that convicted drunk drivers should have breathalyzers installed in their cars, so that they cannot drive their car if they don’t pass a BAC test or other DUI prevention methods.  One minute of reckless and drunk driving is far too long in our book.

Call us now at 1-800-655-6585 or click here for a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer and find out how we can help you.  We speak English and Spanish, and we look forward to providing advice for your case.  There is no fee if no recovery.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.