A 22-year-old man has been charged in connection with a fatal crash on the 91 Freeway in Orange County that left one person dead.
According to a report in The Orange County Register, Tyler Christian Williams was charged with felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, driving under the influence with blood alcohol over the legal limit of 0.08%, DUI causing injury, and hit-and-run causing permanent and serious injury.
Ongoing Investigation into the Orange County Crash
The suspect was also charged on suspicion of driving with a suspended license in addition to facing sentencing enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury on another victim who survived. The crash occurred on Jan. 23 when Williams was driving a 2013 Lincoln west on the 91 Freeway near Brookhurst Street.
He collided with a 2004 Ford causing that vehicle to overturn, according to California Highway Patrol officials. Williams allegedly continued west and crashed into a 2012 Toyota. The driver of the Ford sustained major injuries and died at a nearby hospital. The investigation is ongoing.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the victim who has not yet been identified. We also wish the seriously injured victim the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Those affected will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Laws and Liability Issues Surrounding DUI Car Accidents
Based on this news report, the criminal complaint against Williams shows that he was driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.19, more than twice the legal limit, which is 0.08. Under California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a), it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and operate with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. It is also illegal to leave the scene of an injury or fatal collision, which this driver appears to have done.
In such cases, injured victims, as well as families of deceased victims, can seek compensation for their losses. Those injured can seek damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, and past and future pain and suffering. Families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages as well. An experienced Orange County DUI victims’ lawyer will be able to advise injured victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2022/01/25/riverside-man-22-charged-in-fatal-dui-hit-and-run-crash-on-orange-county-freeway/