A 27-year-old Fountain Valley man is suspected of driving under the influence of drugs in a deadly car crash in Garden Grove that killed 59-year-old Julie Varley. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, Kyle Morey was hospitalized and underwent surgery but was suspected of causing the three-vehicle chain-reaction crash that proved fatal for Varley.
She was killed when her vehicle was rear-ended at a red light on eastbound Chapman Avenue at Euclid Street the afternoon of April 15. Varley’s vehicle then collided with a third vehicle. She was transported to an area trauma center where she was pronounced dead. The driver and passenger in the third vehicle did not suffer injuries, police said.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of Julie Varley for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
What California Law States
Based on this news report, police believe that Morey, who they say caused this fatal chain-reaction collision, may have been under the influence of drugs when he rear-ended Varley’s car. California law states that it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
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.” A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges under California Penal Code section 191.5 (a).
Justice for DUI Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Orange County DUI crash or if you have lost a loved one due to the actions of a DUI driver, please remember that you have legal rights. While DUI drivers often face criminal charges and penalties, holding a driver accountable in that manner is not enough to cover victims’ medical expenses and other severe monetary losses.
In addition to criminal charges, drivers can also be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses they cause to victims and families. In such cases, those who have been affected would be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County DUI victims’ lawyer who has a successful track record of holding at-fault drivers financially responsible.
Source: https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2020-04-17/fountain-valley-man-suspected-of-dui-in-fatal-crash-in-garden-grove