Driver ordered to pay $230,462 in restitution to 2 victims in DUI crash

San Diego Union-Tribune (CA)

April 10--A drunken driver who rear-ended a car in La Jolla, injuring two women, has been ordered to pay more than $230,000 in restitution to the victims.

Jonah Hamilton was ordered last week to pay around $218,000 in attorney fees and just under $12,000 to cover the victims' out-of-pocket medical expenses and property damage. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DUI in December 2015 and was placed on probation for five years.

Officials with the San Diego City Attorney's Office said it took more than two years and seven court appearances to secure the restitution award for Amy Ruminski, who was driving, and her mother, Ellen Bowen, who was a front-seat passenger. The case was a "complicated restitution matter involving significant injuries and an uninsured motorist," said Chief Deputy City Attorney Michael Giorgino.

Because Hamilton was uninsured, the victims attempted to recover most of their medical damages through uninsured motorist claims through their auto insurance company, a process that took time, Giorgino said. He said the medical cost reimbursement sought through the criminal restitution process consisted of out-of-pocket costs not paid for through insurance, as well as attorney's fees incurred in that process.

"Victims are entitled full compensation for the losses they suffer as a result of a defendant's criminal conduct," City Attorney Mara Elliott said in a statement. "Let this be a lesson to those who drink or do drugs and then drive: The City Attorney's Victim Services Unit will seek justice for crime victims no matter how long it takes."

Both women were injured when Hamilton smashed his SUV into the rear of Ruminski's Mazda CX-9 on La Jolla Boulevard in August 2015. Ruminski's sons, ages 10 and 12, were riding in the back of the Mazda but were not hurt.

Hamilton admitted he had been drinking vodka that morning after taking prescription medication and was going to the beach to sleep it off when he ran into the Mazda, according to the City Attorney's Office. Hamilton had a blood alcohol level of 0.17 percent, more than twice the legal limit.

Ruminski struck her head against the steering wheel, which caused extreme migraines and painful injuries to her neck and lower back. Bowen suffered an umbilical hernia as a result of trauma to her abdomen caused by the seat belt.

A hearing has been set for May 4 to determine a payment schedule for the defendant, Giorgino said.

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