LONG BEACH (CNS) - Criminal charges were filed today against a Long Beach man who was allegedly driving drunk when he struck and killed a man in a wheelchair in an unmarked crosswalk.
Joseph Maez, 26, is set to be arraigned July 2 on one felony count each of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury and driving with a 0.08% blood-alcohol content causing injury, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Maez, was allegedly driving the Honda Civic that struck the 59-year-old man pushing a cart full of his belongings across Stearn Street at Radnor Avenue in the Los Altos neighborhood of Long Beach at 11:19 p.m. June 12, authorities said.
The victim -- identified by the Long Beach Post as Mitchell Morales -- was pronounced dead at the scene, despite life-saving measures attempted by police and fire department personnel.
Maez was arrested June 13 by Long Beach police and released on bond early the next morning, jail records show.
``Driving under the influence is a potentially deadly decision with severe consequences,'' District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement announcing the charges.
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