An 18-year-old man tragically made national headline news this week after a judge ordered him to stand trial for DWI charges related to the death of a 22-year-old who was on his way to a family funeral. The story demonstrates the horrific accidents that can occur when drivers violate DWI laws and drive while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Fox 5 News reports that the incident happened in Rancho Penasquitos, a community on the northeastern side of San Diego, California. There, on the morning of May 16, Timothy Theodore Barnette began to erratically operate his SUV on Ted Williams Parkway, nearby Pomerado Road. According to witnesses, Mr. Barnette had been parked with two wheels on the sidewalk of the street, looking as if he was stopping to do something like make a cellphone call. However, Mr. Barnette sped past the witnesses shortly thereafter, and changed lanes in an out-of-control manner. Another witness states that he was stopped at a traffic light on the same road, where it turns into an Interstate, when Mr. Barnette cut him off in the SUV, nearly hitting his car. Mr. Barnette then allegedly entered the freeway.

A witness on the freeway testified that she had been in a vehicle going west when she saw Mr. Barnette’s vehicle come towards her. Mr. Barnette allegedly sharply turned away from hitting her vehicle, and hit a Scion, which sent both vehicles off of the road. Witnesses state that there was smoke and an explosion.

Fox5sandiego.com reports that the driver of the Scion was a former Cal State San Marcos student named Nick Hart. Mr. Hart was killed at the scene of the accident. Chemical test reports show that Mr. Barnette had marijuana and Xanax in his system at the time that the fatal accident occurred. He was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DWI causing injury and now faces up to ten years in jail if he is convicted. Mr. Barnette is being held on $100,000 bail.

Since we’ve published this story, Timothy Theodore Barnette was sentenced to six years in prison.  Read more here.

If you have been charged with violating New York DWI laws, you should immediately seek out the assistance of an experienced New York DWI attorney. A DWI attorney can review the facts of your case, get discovery from the prosecution, and can defend you in court.

The exclusive purpose of this article is educational and it is not intended as either legal advice or a general solution to any specific legal problem. Corporate offices for Nave DWI Defense Attorneys are located at 432 N. Franklin Street, Suite 80, Syracuse, NY 13204; Telephone No.: 1-866-792-7800. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney Advertising.