Motorist Fatally Struck by Suspected Drunken Driver in Lakeside
A 42-year-old motorist was struck and killed in a driving under the influence (DUI) crash that took place on January 20 around 4:10 a.m. in Lakeside. As stated by California Highway Patrol, the victim was hit by a 38-year-old driver. The deceased victim was driving his Chevy Astro minivan, towing his wife’s Toyota Tercel when one of the vehicles experienced a mechanical issue.
The deceased victim got out of his car and was walking back to his wife to talk to her through her the driver’s window when a vehicle drifted along the right shoulder of the road and fatally hit him. The victim died instantly. Our law office sends out our condolences to the deceased victim’s family and friends.
Passenger Killed in Suspected DUI Crash in Oceanside
One person was killed in a drunk driving car accident that took place on November 16 around 12:55 a.m. on westbound Highway 78 near College Boulevard. According to the authorities, Jorge Luis Lopez was driving a Honda Civic while under the influence and was racing another motorist in a dark sedan. As the police attempted to pull Lopez over, Lopez sped off quickly, leading to a pursuit by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers.
CHP Officer Jim Bettercourt said that Lopez, 21, was racing in his 1991 Honda Civic against a dark colored sedan on Highway 78 going westbound onto northbound Interstate 5. Although the dark sedan slowed down, Lopez sped off in his Honda onto Interstate 5 going northbound. The Honda exited onto Mission Avenue before it turned south on Mesa Drive. Lopez then hit a dip in the pathway and slammed into a parked pickup truck near Pajama Drive and Mesa Drive.
Speeding Drunken Driver Rear-Ends Minivan, Injures Five in Mission Gorge
A total of five people were injured by a drunken driving accident on September 2 around 1 a.m. on Interstate 8 (I-8), west of Fairmount Avenue. As stated by California Highway Patrol, a suspected drunken driver was driving a red color SUV at the speed of at least 100 mph when it rear ended a minivan with four people inside. The impact of the collision forced the minivan to spin out of control. The SUV rolled over several times after hitting the minivan before it came to rest sideways.
Three adults and a child inside the minivan sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital for medical attention. Our hearts go out to the victims hurt by this accident.
Fatal Eastvale DUI Crash Injures Three I Riverside Accident Attorney
20-year-old Joseph Castro died and two other suffered moderate to major injuries in a serious DUI car wreck that occurred on September 24, 2011, around 3:30 a.m. near Chino Airport. According to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, a Cadillac Catera with four occupants struck a dirt embankment near the intersection of Kimball and Hellman avenues in the Eastvale area.
A 19-year-old female passenger from Orange suffered critical injuries and was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. A third passenger, a 16-year-old female from Santa Ana, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital and released later. The driver of the car 22-year-old Victor Martinez was booked on suspicion of drunk driving.
From the available information, it is evident that the reckless driving and negligent actions of the car driver led to this serious crash. Driving under influence is a direct violation of California traffic laws. The deceased’s family members should immediately seek counsel from an experienced Riverside DUI auto accident attorney who would educate them about their legal rights and help obtain compensation to cover funeral and burial costs, loss of anticipated earnings, loss of love, care and companionship, and other accident-related damages.
The injured victims can also file a personal injury claim against Martinez to obtain compensation to cover treatment, hospital and medical costs, loss of wages, loss of earning capacity, and other accident-related damages.
Our law office offers sincere condolences to all those who knew Castro for such a tragic loss. We also hope and pray that the injuries suffered by both the victims do not prove life-threatening.
Man Killed And 10-Year Old Boy Injured In Bakersfield DUI Car Accident
Oscar Cecilio Rodas, 58, was killed and a 10-year-old boy suffered injuries in a serious Kern County car accident that occurred on May 1, 2011, at 6:10 a.m. on Wilson Road and South H Street in Bakersfield. According to the responding California Highway Patrol Officers, Rodas was travelling westbound in his Toyota Camry and entered the intersection when his vehicle was broadsided by a blue Nissan Sentra being driven northbound by Curtis Peery, 34.
Rodas suffered major injuries and was immediately transported by the paramedics to Kern Medical Center for treatment, where he was pronounced dead around 6:48 a.m. A 10-year-old boy who was a passenger in the Toyota suffered minor injuries and was also transported to Kern Medical Center.
According to the information provided by Bakersfield Police Department, Peery was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision.
If Peery is determined to have been at fault for causing the motor vehicle accident, then he could face not only criminal charges for driving under influence, but could also be held financially responsible for the injuries and damages caused. Peery will most likely be found to have violated California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) which states that “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.” Rodas’s family could seek compensation to pay for the funeral and burial costs, loss of anticipated earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other accident related expenses.
In addition, the injured boy can obtain compensation to compensate him for his medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy, and other related damages. It is advisable for the families of the victims to seek counsel from an experienced Kern County car accident lawyer to obtain a fair and timely compensation.
Our law office offers sincere condolences to all those who knew and loved Rodas for their loss. We also hope that the injured boy recovers to his complete health soon.
Fresno Woman Injured In San Luis Obispo Car Accident
Maria DeJesus Garcia, 37, suffered serious injuries in a San Luis Obispo County car accident that occurred on April 2, 2011, around 11:15 p.m., on Highway 46, approximately 320 miles from San Diego. The responding California Highway Patrol officers reported that, Faustino Barcenas, 49, Of Fullerton was driving under the influence of drugs. Barcenas’s vehicle first hit the side of a Nissan Altima, driven by Pablo Elgarrista, 41, and then crashed head-on into Garcia’s vehicle.
Both Garcia and Barcenas suffered injuries in this car accident. Garcia suffered a broken hip and pelvis, and was airlifted to a Fresno hospital after she was initially treated at Twin Cities Community Hospital for treatment.
From the available information, it is clear that Barcenas’s negligent actions and irresponsible behavior lead to this serious car accident that left Garcia and Barcenas injured. Under California law, it is unlawful for anyone to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of any drug or alcohol per California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a). Garcia’s family members should consult with an experienced San Luis Obispo County personal injury lawyer to learn about her legal rights and to obtain compensation to pay for medical treatment of her injuries, lost income and wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages.
Our personal injury law office sincerely hopes that that the injuries suffered by Garcia do not prove life threatening and heal soon.
Santa Ana Car Accident Caused by Driver Under the Influence of Drugs Kills Teen
Steve Gomez, 15, was killed in a fatal Santa Ana car accident that occurred on November 23, 2010, in Orange County, approximately 130 miles from San Diego. According to authorities, this fatal auto accident occurred when Jose Luis Gomez, 20, drove his 2007 Chevy Impala at a high rate of speed, lost control of the vehicle, and crashed it into a tree.
Steve Gomez was a front seat passenger in Jose Gomez’s car and was pronounced dead at the accident scene. Jose Gomez and two other passengers traveling in the car suffered serious injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The officials stated that the driver, Jose Gomez was under the influence of drugs after “huffing” (inhaling from a paper bag or other container) automotive grade nitrous oxide just before the accident occurred. Police believe that he was probably inhaling the substance while driving the car.
If it is found that the car driver was indeed driving under influence of drugs or other intoxicants, then he will be held liable for Steve Gomez’s wrongful death. Jose Gomez will most likely violated California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) which states that “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.”
Jose Gomez may be held liable to pay victim’s family with compensation to cover cost of funeral and burial, loss of anticipated earnings of the deceased, loss of love and compassion, and other accident related damages.The victim’s family can seek counsel from an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who would assure that the guilty is brought to justice.
Seattle Car Accident Attorney Wants to Educate Teens About Drinking and Driving
Working as a San Diego auto accident lawyer, I have seen time and time again the ability of stricter driver laws to decrease fatal auto accidents. Perhaps no alcohol related legislation has had as much of a obvious affect as when the legal drinking age of 21 was signed into place. All states had their own legal drinking ages for decades and for forty years all states had their drinking age set at 21. During the Vietnam War, however, over twenty states dropped their drinking age which triggered a dramatic increase in drunk driving fatalities. Young drivers would start traveling to states with lower drinking ages and then drive back to their residents creating chaos along the way. President Ronald Regan, however, saved a significant number of lives by signing legislation making the nations drinking age 21. With this came a dramatic drop in the number of drunk driving fatalities. In spite of legislation having a positive effect there are still those who choose to drink and get behind the wheel, and underage drinking contributes to a significant amount of these. But what can be done besides legislation to protect your teen from the dangers of drunk driving?
With a significant number of youth being introduced to alcohol at a young age (58% of high school senior have admitted to being drunk at least once) it Is necessary for some action to be taken to help keep these teens off the roads. Car accidents are the number one cause of death for teens and 60% of these fatal car accidents involve alcohol. Though this may be disheartening to parents and make them reconsider allowing their teen behind the wheel- studies show parents can control this problem more than any law.
According to studies simply discussing alcohol and drunk driving with your teen significantly lowers their chance of using alcohol. Discussing these topics with your teens can be uncomfortable- but ultimately it will lead to better decisions and a greater peace of mind.
Talking to Your Kids About Drunk Driving, an article by Seattle car wreck lawyer Jason Epstein is full of useful tips for starting the conversation with your teen. The article also contains links to useful resources including facts and horror stories to make your teen realize the true danger they put themselves in when they drink. To learn more click on the link above.
If your life has been altered by the irresponsibility of a drunk driver be sure to contact a lawyer quickly. If you are in the San Diego area contact my car accident law firm for a free consultation- if you are in Washington state contact Jason Epstein’s Bellevue personal injury law office, Premier Law Group.
According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.” It would be in the best interests of injured victims in to seek advice of an experienced Orange County car accident lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable.
We offer our sympathies to all those who suffered injuries in this car accident and hope that they recover to their complete health soon.