Family Gets Justice After Hit-and-Run Driver Pleads Guilty

The family of a hit-and-run victim received some small comfort when the drunk driver responsible for their daughter’s death pleaded guilty to several counts in a San Diego courtroom.

Photo of car accident

Back in March, Ph. D student and aspiring marine biologist Rachel Morrison was hit by an (at that time) unknown vehicle at a crosswalk at the intersection of Camino Del Mar and Coast Boulevard. A friend walking with her managed to dive out of the way and escaped uninjured, but the impact knocked Morrison some 120 feet into some nearby bushes. The car then fled the scene.

The friend acted quickly, taking down the Audi A4’s license plate number and calling the paramedics. An ambulance raced Morrison to La Jolla Hospital, but it was too late. She died shortly thereafter from her injuries.

Thanks to the quick actions of Morrison’s friend, sheriff’s deputies and San Diego Police Department officers quickly located the driver and the offending Audi A4 at an apartment complex in La Jolla. The car had a cracked windshield and sustained significant damage to the front bumper.

When the police asked the car’s owner, Christopher Stockmeyer, if he had hit someone, he allegedly said he did not remember, he just wanted to go home and sleep. Police later discovered that Stockmeyer had been drinking with friends before he got behind the wheel, and ran a stop sign at the intersection when he hit Morrison.

Dozens of friends and family members showed up at Stockmeyer’s hearing wearing pink roses in support of Morrison.  Christopher Stockmeyer, engineer and father of two, entered guilty pleas for gross vehicular manslaughter, DUI, driving with a measurable blood alcohol causing injury and hit and run. If convicted he could serve up to 15 years in prison.

I Was Hit By a Drunk Driver. Who Can I Call?

DUI accidents and hit-and-runs affect everyone’s lives, not just the driver or the victim. If you or a loved one has been injured by a DUI accident, call Bonnici Law Group to discuss your case. Our experienced attorneys can help you understand your rights and get justice for victims of drunk driving.

[Did You Know: This year, 10,389 people will die in drunk-driving accidents; that is 1 person every 50 minutes.]

Bonnici Law Group, APC—San Diego injury attorney

Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Christopher-Stockmeyer-Fatal-DUI-Suspect-Pleads-Guilty-255546921.html