Ashley Johnigan, 24, was convicted on Tuesday of second-degree murder and drunken-driving charges. In 2008, Johnigan had just left a bar in Santa Ynez when she got into a 2-car collision with Laura Cleaves and Lisa Raines. Johnigan and Raines suffered minor injuries. Cleaves died instantly at the scene of the accident. She was a District Attorney in Santa Barbara.
Prosecutors argued that Johnigan’s blood alcohol was a .20%, which was the equivalent of drinking 16 drinks. The defense argued that although she admits she drove drunk, she was driving to get away from some men that were harassing at the bar and she was just trying to find a safe place to sober up.
Johnigan was sentenced to 15 years to life for the accident she caused. She can apply for parole once she has served 85% of her sentence. Whether you live in Orange, Santa Ana or Lake Forest, if you are charged with a DUI or DUI manslaughter, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.
If you want to know more about driving under the influence, DUI manslaughter, or your own charges, call Orange County criminal defense attorney William Weinberg @ 949.474.8008 in his Irvine office.