The District Attorney in Santa Clara County has filed misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges against a driver who killed two college students in an automobile accident after unintentionally administering too much insulin to himself. Initially, John Mayfield had faced felony manslaughter charges, but those charges were thrown out of court in June. In that case, the judge ruled that prosecutors did not provide enough evidence of felony manslaughter to warrant charging Mr. Mayfield.

The new misdemeanor charges were brought after the prosecutor determined that Mr. Mayfield’s actions fit the definition of ordinary negligence, rather than gross negligence – the standard of proof for felony manslaughter.

Prosecutors determined that Mayfield was driving while intoxicated during the accident, even though test results showed no evidence of drugs or alcohol in the driver’s system. Prior to the accident, witnesses reported that Mayfield had been driving erratically for about nine miles along I-680 and I-280. Mayfield exited the freeway and drove the PG&E-owned Ford F-150 into a line of cars stopped at a traffic signal. The vehicles exploded, killing two twenty-year-old college students in one vehicle, and injuring seven other people.

If you have been arrested for DUI, or face other vehicle-related driving charges, you need the skill of an experienced criminal defense attorney like Robert Michael Helfend. Mr. Helfend has been practicing law in Southern California since 1984 and specializes exclusively in criminal defense matters. Mr. Helfend handles each case personally and can bring together the medical and legal assistance you need to preserve your rights and defend your freedom.

If you’re facing any type of felony or misdemeanor charges, contact Robert Michael Helfend today.

Photo Credit: Ossian Engmark