Former major leaguer Jim Leyritz was arrested Friday on charges of driving under the influence and killing a driver after his car crashed into 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch.
He was charged with DUI manslaughter and DUI property damage. He refused to take a test for alcohol at the scene and was given a test involuntarily later.
Leyritz played for six major league teams and starred in the 1996 World Series. His game tying home run in Game 4 of the 1996 World series was his high moment in the sport. He later served as a reporter and commentator.
Witnesses have reportedly said Leyritz was driving a 2006 Ford Expedition when he collided at an intersection after passing through a red light. The arrest report said the first officer on the scene observed that Leyritz had “red, watery eyes, flushed face and the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person.”
If the blood tests come back to support the DUI, these cases tend to be easy prosecutions. He could be looking a serious time for a manslaughter charge — up to fifteen years and $10,000 fine.
There is also an obvious tort case for wrongful death that can be brought.