CASE OF INTEREST

Date: June 6, 2003
Case: People v. Daniel Dale Pennington
Contact: Michelle Becker, Felony Team 2
Telephone: (916) 874-6554

District Attorney Jan Scully announced today that Daniel Dale Pennington (23) of Rancho Cordova was sentenced by the Honorable Michael G. Virga to six years in prison following his conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol causing great bodily injury in violation of Vehicle Code Section 23153(b) and Penal Code Section 12022.7(a).

On June 12, 2002, the victim, Miika Dunham, was driving her vehicle on El Camino Avenue when she noticed the Defendant tailgating her. He then accelerated and tried to pass her in the right-hand lane, but lost control of his car and hit the right front of her car. This impact forced her car to veer left, crossing over the center median, at which time she crashed head-on with a mini-van. That van was driven by victim Matthew Sheahan and occupied by his three young children. Mr. Sheahan's van was then struck by the car behind him. A fifth vehicle was involved in the collision when the Defendant's car also crossed over the center median and struck the left side of a truck pulling a trailer.

Mrs. Dunham was 17 weeks pregnant at the time and due to the collision, the fetus that she was carrying died. She also suffered a fractured wrist, bruises and abrasions to her waist and chest. Mr. Sheahan suffered from severe bruising and swelling to his right ankle and knee. His 6-year-old daughter struck her head on the window and could not remember the accident. His 9-year-old son suffered a bruise on the right hip and his 3-year-old son suffered minor bruising.

After the crash, the defendant attempted to flee the scene on foot, but was tackled by a bystander. The Defendant failed all the field sobriety tests given him. A test of his blood revealed that his alcohol level was a 0.14%.

Deputy District Attorney Michelle Becker who prosecuted the case stated," Drinking and driving is a serious epidemic in our society. As this case shows, tragedy cannot be avoided when you make the choice to drink alcohol and get behind the wheel of a vehicle."

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