Woman Gets Four Years in DUI Motorcycle Accident
Woman pleads guilty to DUI motorcycle crash involving Marine.
A San Diego woman has plead guilty to charges stemming from a DUI-related motorcycle accident in which a decorated U.S. Marine was critically injured.
According to reports, 22-year-old Jessica Marie Bloom plead guilty to two charges of DUI and hit-and-run for her role in the July 31st accident. In exchange for the guilty plea, she was sentenced to four and a half years in state prison.
The incident occurred as Gunnery Sgt. Dave Smith was riding his motorcycle eastbound on Bernardo Center Drive near West Bernardo Drive around 12:30 p.m. Sergeant Smith came to a stop at a red light and was struck from behind by a Chevy TrailBlazer driven by Ms. Bloom. Upon impact, the 34-year-old man was thrown onto the hood of the vehicle and then into the street.
According to eyewitness testimony, Ms. Bloom then got out of the SUV and began asking witnesses repeatedly if the victim was dead. Witnesses also reported that Ms. Bloom appeared to be disoriented but was coherent enough to load her front bumper into the SUV and drive off.
Witnesses at the scene followed Ms. Bloom to a nearby apartment, where police were called and she was subsequently arrested.
According to the prosecutor in the case, Ms. Bloom's blood-alcohol content (BAC) level was .37 percent, which is more than four times the legal limit allowed in California. Ms. Bloom had previously plead not guilty in the case, citing the stress of the pending deployment of her husband, who is also a Marine.
As a result of the accident, Sgt. Smith suffered critically injuries, including severe head trauma, which doctors did not expect him to survive. At the time, his condition was described as involving a partial internal decapitation.
Smith, a 17-year military veteran who previously survived a roadside bombing, remained on life support for nearly a month following the accident before being released. Doctors have since called his recovery nothing short of miraculous.
While the victim in this case continues to recover from his injuries, he and his loved ones may be facing an additional hurdle in the form of staggering medical bills stemming from his accident. As a military veteran, the victim's insurance may cover most if not all of these costs but other motorcycle accident victims may not be so lucky.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured as a result of a motorcycle accident caused by a drunk or negligent driver, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages if you're unable to work. At the law firm of Nadrich & Cohen, we are dedicated to helping motorcycle accident victims like you get the legal representation they need.
Contact our Injury Hotline today at 1-800-722-0765 to speak with one of our San Diego motorcycle accident injury specialists. We offer a free initial case consultation and there is never a fee unless we win a judgment on your behalf. Call us now to speak with one of our motorcycle accident injury experts to find out how we can help with your personal injury claim.
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