DUI Crash Leaves Two Bystanders Dead

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that two people were dead after a May 24 crash in South Richmond that resulted in a 28-year-old man being arrested for driving under the influence and felony manslaughter.

Authorities say that shortly after 11:00 p.m. on the night of the crash, truck traveling eastbound on Snead Road ran off the road and struck a parked vehicle. The impact spun the car around, causing it to strike two people standing beside it.

Police say that Carmen Alejandro Garcia-Hernandez, the driver of the truck, attempted to flee the scene on foot, but witnesses detained him until the arrival of the police.

Police say that the victims, 40-year-old Joseph Owens and 44-year-old Catherine Jones, received transport to VCU Medical Center, but were pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after 1:00 a.m.

Former Virginia Tech Quarterback Marcus Vick Arrested For DUI

The Associated Press reports that on June 13, former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and eluding police.

Police said that on the morning of the incident, a uniformed bicycle patrol officer spotted an altercation between Vick, 24, and a female in a car around 2 a.m. The officer asked the pair if assistance was needed then asked to see Vick's license. Police say he sped away, but was stopped not long after.

The police gave Vick a field sobriety test, which he failed, before charging him with driving under the influence, misdemeanor eluding police, reckless driving, driving on the wrong side of the road, and driving on a suspended license. Miami, Florida resident Delicia Cordon, Vick's passenger, was charged with being drunk in public.

Vick was kicked off the Virginia Tech football team after multiple brushes with the law and a reputation of misbehavior on and off the field. His college career ended after pleading guilty to traffic violations in Hampton, as he was under a "zero tolerance" policy at the time.

'Baby DUIs' To Receive Harsher Penalty In Virginia

The Washington Times reports that a new Virginia law will be one of the harshest in the country on minors caught driving under the influence.

Drivers who are caught with a "baby DUI" (being caught with a blood-alcohol content of 0.02 while under the legal drinking age) will face a a mandatory 12 month driver's license suspension, a jail sentence of up to 12 months, and a $2,500 maximum fine. The new law goes into effect July 1. The previous penalty is a minimum fine of $500 or 50 community service hours.

Delegate William Janis (R-Glen Allen), who introducted the bill, said, "Harsher penalties should go to those who choose to act recklessly."

Supporters of the new law noted that the old penalties were lighter than those for mere possession of alcoholic beverages. Under the new law, the penalties for both will be the same. Drunken driving (DUI) will be elevated to a Class 1 misdemeanor like underage possession.

Maryland and 12 other states have also adopted zero-tolerance policies.

NFL Receiver Dwayne Jarrett Pleads Guilty To DUI

North Carolina's WRAL TV-5 reports that NFL receiver Dwayne Jarrett of the Carolina Panthers entered a plea of guilty to driving under the influence, minutes before his trial was scheduled to start.

After appearing at the District Court of Mecklenburg County, N.C., Jarrett surrendered his license and was ordered to pay court costs of $420 and perform 24 hours of community service.

Jarrett is also to enter the first stage of the NFL's substance abuse policy, meaning that he is to be subjected to more frequent testing for drugs and alcohol.

Jarrett, 21, was arrested on March 11 in the Charlotte, N.C. suburb, Mint Hill. According to police, he crossed the center line and ran a red light. The police report says that his blood-alcohol level was .12, above the legal limit of .08.