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31-year-old Jessica Fodge was tragically killed in a pedestrian accident on March 5, and the impacts have been devastating for her family.
According to reports, the Las Vegas resident walked along a sidewalk on University Center Drive near East Twain Avenue. It was around 8:45 A.M. when a car suddenly made some erratic moves before driving along the sidewalk and smashing into Jessica. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the car, a Chevrolet Trax, first veered into the opposite lane of traffic. After traveling in that lane for a while, the vehicle sped through a red light and attempted to make a turn north. At that point, the car was driving along the sidewalk and hit Jessica.
Jessica was rushed to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, but she was pronounced deceased a short time later.
Authorities arrested 39-year-old Gerardo Jose Lopez for reckless driving and DUI. He was not injured in the accident. At an initial hearing, Lopez’s bail was set at $250,000.
One day after the accident, the community held a vigil in Jessica’s honor where she was struck. The community has also come together to help raise some money for the victim’s family. Jessica was a mother of four children who are from five years old to nine years old. So far, donors have already raised $4,500 for her family.
In Las Vegas, a first-time DUI charge can result in up to six months in jail. Reckless driving, on the other hand, can be levied as either a misdemeanor or a felony charge depending on the circumstances. A misdemeanor reckless driving charge would also result in up to six months of jail time. When someone has been injured or fatally wounded, it’s likely that the reckless driving charge will be levied as a felony.
If you’ve ever been convicted of these charges and already faced your sentence, then you might be wondering if you’ll ever fully escape the consequences of having a criminal record. In Vegas, it might be possible to seal some criminal records as part of a “fresh start” if you meet certain criteria. Record sealing makes your previous criminal conviction inaccessible to the general public, meaning it wouldn’t show up in criminal background checks that regularly happen for employment or housing purposes. These records will still be accessible by law enforcement, though.
With a sealed record, you can hide your record and rightfully say that you’ve never been convicted of a crime when you apply for a job or seek out housing. If you get rearrested in the future, though, then your sealed record might get reopened for consideration.
Are you interested in potentially sealing your criminal record? There is usually a waiting period between completing your sentence and when you’ll be considered eligible for this process. The nature and severity of your crime will determine your eligibility for sealing your record. Felony DUIs are ineligible for sealing, but other non-felony DUI cases might be considered for sealing after seven years.
Schedule your free and confidential consultation call with our team now to learn more about your rights and legal options if you have more questions.
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