Ashley Bryan Booking Photo COURTESY OF THE ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

Last week, a twenty-four year old woman named Ashley Selina Bryan was charged with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated without gross negligence, one felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury and one felony count of driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent or more causing bodily injury, as well as a sentencing enhancement for multiple victims. If she is convicted, Bryan faces a maximum sentence of five years and eight months in state prison as well as alcohol education classes and probation.

Bryan allegedly was driving under the influence of alcohol on the 57 freeway when she crashed into a disabled car on the freeway. Cameron Cook, who was standing outside of the stranded vehicle was knocked over the freeway guardrail and fell about 50 to 60 feet before landing on a concrete embankment under the freeway. He died shortly after the accident. Another person who was in the stranded car was also hit and suffered injuries.

If you are pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the police will conduct field sobriety tests to determine you intoxication level. If you are charged with driving under the influence (DUI), you face severe penalties including jail time, probation, DUI classes, a suspended license and fines. Therefore, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to assist you. Possible defenses to a DUI include not actually being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, improper police procedures, fatigue or illness.