Opinion ID: 564386
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Vehicular Manslaughter

Text: 12 O'Neal argues that his prior conviction for vehicular manslaughter does not qualify as a violent felony under section 924(e). O'Neal recognizes that we have held that involuntary manslaughter is a violent felony for purposes of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 924(c) (1988), which proscribes the use of a firearm in a crime of violence. 3 United States v. Springfield, 829 F.2d 860, 863 (9th Cir.1987). O'Neal argues, however, that our precedent regarding involuntary manslaughter should not apply to the crime of vehicular manslaughter. 13 O'Neal offers no principled reason to distinguish vehicular manslaughter from involuntary manslaughter. In Springfield we held that involuntary manslaughter is a crime of violence because it involves the death of another person [and] is highly likely to be the result of violence. Id. at 863. Vehicular manslaughter, like involuntary manslaughter, involves the death of a human being under violent circumstances. We therefore hold that it qualifies as a violent felony under section 924(e)(2)(B)(ii) in that it involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another.