Orange County Hit and Run Suspect Arrested
By Randy Collins April 30, 2013
The Westminster Police Department has arrested a 45 year old man for a hit and run accident. A hit and run accident is where a driver hits someone (usually a pedestrian) and drives off in an attempt to evade arrest. The accident occurred on April 17, 2013. The man has been identified as Derek Wright. The victim, 34 year old Shawn Keith succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
How It Happened
On April 17, Keith was struck by a Dodge Ram pick up truck driven by Wright around 8:30 p.m. Keith was crossing the road in a mostly residential area. Wright stopped the truck and then escaped from the scene on foot. Citizens who witnessed the accident called the police. Keith suffered from major head injuries. Paramedics rushed Keith to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. A passenger in the pick up did not flee and instead assisted the police in their search for Wright who is a known transient in the area.
Hit and run accidents happen regularly. Each hit and run accident requires a thorough study by a specially trained team of investigators. Although since most hit and run accidents happen under the cover of darkness, and witnesses are usually difficult to secure, trained police officers can trace and apprehend nearly all drivers in hit and run accidents.
Wright was arrested from a Westminster bar on April 26 more than a week after the fatal hit and run accident on Springdale Street. He was at the Posse Bar when the employees recognized him and called the police. He tried to flee from the bar but employees and patrons managed to detain him in the parking lot. Police officers who responded to the call positively identified and arrested him.
Hit and Run Charges
Wright has been charged with manslaughter and felony hit and run. A felony offense is a far more serious charge than a misdemeanor offence. If convicted he can be sentenced to a jail term exceeding one year. The crime of manslaughter, as distinguished from murder, involves causing the unlawful death of another without malice aforethought. This means that the defendant unlawfully caused a death but did not possess any of the four mental states required for malice aforethought. Malice aforethought is a term used to describe one of four mental states necessary for the crime of murder: intent to kill, intent to do serious bodily harm, extreme reckless disregard and felony murder.
OC Hit and Run Legal Information
If you or someone you know have been involved in a Hit and Run collision and have charges brought against them, speaking with an experienced criminal defense attorney may be in your best interest. To receive a free consultation from the MacGregor & Collins, LLP law firm, call 949-250-6097.
Written by Randy Collins
