Two people were injured in a Los Angeles car accident after a driver crashed his vehicle into a Norms restaurant. According to a City News Service report, the injury collision occurred at the Norms 24-hour diner at 470 North La Cienega Boulevard, during the early morning hours of November 17, 2011. A patron and a waiter suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Officials say they found bottles of beer in the back seat and the floor of the abandoned silver Mercedes. Police have not released any information about the suspect. An investigation is ongoing.
My heart goes out to the injured victims of this hit-and-run car accident. I’m relieved to hear that they did not suffer life-threatening injuries. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep the victims in your thoughts and prayers.
Los Angeles Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 227 deaths and 25,043 injuries involving Los Angeles car accidents. Also, during the same year, 554 people died and 50,817 were injured as a result of car accidents in all of Los Angeles County.
DUI and Hit-and-Run
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver may have not only been drinking and driving, but also left two people injured at the scene and fled on foot. Despicable! Both, driving under the influence, and hit-and-run are serious offenses under California law. 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.”
Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a), drivers involved in car accidents are required to stop immediately, wait for authorities to arrive, exchange information with other parties involved and most importantly, render aid to the injured victims. In this particular case, the driver chose to do none of the above. Instead, the suspect fled the scene on foot.
Holding Wrongdoers Accountable
I trust officials are able to soon apprehend this driver and bring him or her to justice. If you have any information about the suspect in this case, please visit our dedicated hit-and-run web site at www.hitandrunreward.com to offer an anonymous tip and also become eligible for a $1,000 reward.
Injured victims of hit-and-run crashes would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. A knowledgeable car accident attorney will better inform victims in such cases about how their own auto insurance policy applies to an incident where the suspect is not found, or, in a case where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.