People v. Runyan

Opinion

BAXTER, J.

Defendant, driving while intoxicated, killed another driver instantly in a freeway collision. The accident victim left no surviving family, dependents, or heirs. Defendant was convicted and sentenced to prison. In addition, pursuant to the statute requiring that persons convicted of felonies pay restitution to the crimes’ victims for their resulting economic loss, he was also ordered to pay substantial restitutionary amounts to the decedent’s estate. The award represented death-related loss in value of the decedent’s business and property, and probate, estate administration,…