The driver accused of first degree murder for allegedly striking and killing a homeless man resting on a bus stop bench in Chula Vista, has previously been arrested four times for driving under the influence.
Nicholas Ramirez, 28, of Imperial Beach, is facing first degree murder and vehicular manslaughter charges in the crash, which occurred at 6:46 p.m. near the intersection of Orange and Third avenues Sunday.
Witnesses initially reported seeing the driver involved in several collisions in the parking lot after leaving a bar. When someone confronted him about the smaller collisions, he sped off and, as he was driving, his car jumped a curb and struck a bus stop bench.
The man sitting on the bench suffered an amputated leg in the collision and died at a nearby hospital, Chula Vista police said.
Professor Judybeth Tropp says second chances for d-u-i offenders is important, but agrees more can be done to prevent a case like this one.
"It's scary when you think about it, how common it can be," Tropp said.
"I can't imagine a scenario where this gentleman is driving on a good license," Tropp added.
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DUI defense attorney Cole Casey says whether a DUI driver has a revoked license is irrelevant.
"I mean, if I'm going to get drunk, it's my fourth or fifth offense, I don't really care whether my license is suspended or not."
"That's like saying somebody is going to walk across the street to rob a bank but they don't want to jaywalk to do it," Casey added.
For people like Casey, there is really only one solution.
"The only way this stops is if you make it so the car will not function if somebody has alcohol in their system. Period," Casey said.
Ramirez is expected to be arraigned in court Wednesday.
The medical examiner has not yet released the name of the victim.
