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BAKERSFIELD, California— The Kern County District Attorney’s Office has been awarded a $220,259 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to aid in the prosecution of drunken driving cases.

 

The DA said drunken drivers, especially those who cause death or injury, are predicted to face highly trained, specialized investigator thanks to the award.

 

A “vertical prosecution team” will handle cases from arrest to sentencing.

 

“This is a huge advantage, allowing them to provide the best services to victims and their families”, District Attorney Lisa Green said.

 

“This grant continues the highly successful partnership with OTS which provides us with the capability of handling highly complex DUI homicides and dangerous repeat offenders,” DA Lisa Green added.

 

Prosecution team members will get specialized training, including in the emerging problem area of drug-impaired driving.

 

In 2014, there were 39 deaths and 567 serious injuries because of DUI crashes in Kern County, according to the DA’s Office.