Drinking and driving claims another victim.

https://www.sacbee.com/content/news/s...12040013c.html


partial quote:

(c)Sacramento Bee

ROCKLIN - A Rocklin man was arrested on charges of drunken driving, hit and run, and vehicular manslaughter in connection with the death of a 7-year-old boy who was riding bicycles with his father Saturday, according to the Police Department.

The suspect, Aaron Munso, 33, was found and arrested near his home, police said.

Witnesses said they saw a pickup veer onto the shoulder of Stanford Ranch Road, near Victory Lane, about 1:30 p.m., according to police. The truck struck a boy who was riding a bicycle behind his father, police said.

When the truck fled, it was pursued by witnesses who got the license plate number.

Thank god for the witnesses. Otherwise there'd still be a pick up truck somewhere out there with a dent in the hood. Perhaps there's still some good left in this world.

I cringe when hear stories like this. I ride everywhere with my 10yo daughter. I insist that she rides in front and to the right of me. Hopefully if anyone gets hit it will be me. Just a horrible story for sure. Keep those kids in front and between you and the curb.

Chirs

Another negative thing about this is that this will register as a cyclist death and, in the future, without the circumstances being looked into (like it's a drunk driving problem), be used as an argument that cycling (and not the real cause - drunk driving) is dangerous.

I believe since the driver left the scene, it should be 2nd degree murder and NOT manslaughter.

Yeah you might think, seems to me if you use a car to commit mayhem you can get away with it with a much lesser charge (unless there is evidence that you repeatedly ran over the person). I predict that if they ever succeed in taking away guns, cars will become the murder weapon of choice in the U.S..

They need to raise the penalty for drinking and driving, especially if someone is killed. Like I mean to insane levels where no one would dare even try drinking a fraction of a ml and driving.

in corvallis, oregon were i live a few months ago a girl that my brother went to school with was hit and killed by a car and they still haven't found the driver. they just left her there to die in the ditch.

Amen!

Give them time to review the circumstances. In California, certain drunk driving deaths can be charged as second degree murder.

Not a good story for us parents in here... I have a 4 year old son and this just brings a tear to my eye and makes me hug him tight.

I am the father of this boy. I agree with all of you that the penalty for this action is not steep enough to deter enough people. There is a tremendous amount of negligence in this case, but to me the most unforgiveable action is the hit-and-run. Our system gives him just 5 years for that.

I doubt that even the death penelty will stop it. these people are not exactly thinking logicly.

My heart goes out to you olias. I have a 7 yo daughter and 5 yo son. I can vaguely imagine what you feel right now. I'm so sorry. I haven't cried in years....

Very sorry that you son was lost. That 5 years is added on to whatever sentence the guy gets? I hope they add up the maximum sentences for all the charges and make him serve them consecutively.

My wife and I just brought our 4 year old Grand Daughter a bike for Christmas. While it will be many years before she rides in the street, it makes me think that even on the sidewalk she still may not be safe with idiots like this.

They should allow the parents of the child to inflict the punishment.

God bless the family!!!!

Very sorry for your loss olias; I hope justice is done and this man gets locked up and the keys thrown away.

My son lived eight years and 107 days. In all likelihood, the man will do less time than that.

Olias, I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't even fathom the pain you and your family must be going through.

How horrible. Our sympathies to you and your family.

I hope that when this case comes to trial you will be allowed to make a victim impact statement, including photos of your son. Even if he gets life, it will do little to ease your pain. I hope your friends and family can help with that, and you have all of our sympathy.

Olias,

I am so sorry for your loss. God bless.

Pete

I am so angry right now, I am so sorry. I run an afterschool program and work as a camp counselor in the summers and have devoted my life to working with children and to hear something like this boils my blood.

You have my symphathy Olias, I feel part of your pain.

I think my signature says it all.

So sad...I hope the throw the book at the guy.

its not much consolation but in the UK the system is even more screwed up and I wouldnt be suprised if such a driver would not do any jail time or maybe get 6 months in really bad cases. The only way such a driver would get anything like 5 years is if he said "yes i did it on purpose officer".

I have got kids and this is every parents worst fear.

My deepest sympathies.