28-year-old Badal Dholaria, an Indian-origin man, has been charged with second-degree murder and other felony DUI couts after his Tesla collided with a Ford Bronco, killing Alix Mari Sparks, a 41-year-old woman. Dholaria was drunk and was driving at more than 150mph, Pleasanton Patch reported. The woman was not driving the car but the Tesla struck the rear passenger side of the Bronco. The accident took place on November 29.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office announced that it was charging Dholaria with second-degree murder and four other felony DUI counts: two counts of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury, two counts of driving with a .08% blood alcohol content causing injury, and enhancements alleging great bodily injury to both the Castro Valley woman who died and another passenger, a 40-year-old man from Castro Valley.
Dholaria was taken into custody at the scene and was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on initial charges of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence. Dholaria pleaded not guilty.
“I want to be clear: every DUI-related incident represents a choice -- a choice that can kill. If you're impaired, don't drive,” Contra Costa County DA Diana Becton said in a statement. “Every time you get behind the wheel under the influence, you're gambling with lives. Whether it's alcohol, marijuana, prescription medications, or illegal drugs, any substance that impairs your ability to operate a vehicle safely makes you a danger on our roads.”
Despite the fatal crash, Dholaria did not suffer any cuts, an eyewitness told a news outlet. “It was a horrible experience to witness. The driver at fault (Tesla driver) proceeded to try to unbuckle the victim’s wife, but I and everyone stopped him from doing so cause you’re not supposed to touch or move a body that’s been in an accident if they can’t move on their own. And of course the driver in fault had no scratches or cuts, just a bruise," the witness said.
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