Articles Posted in DUI Accidents

David Matthews, 38, sustained critical injuries in a San Bernardino car accident, which officials say, was caused by a suspected drunk driver. The San Bernardino Sun reports that the major injury collision occurred the morning of March 8, 2010 when 19-year-old Ryan Inglesby, who was driving a 2005 Chevy pickup north on Sunset Road in Joshua Tree, ran a stop sign on Highway 62 and broadsided a 1999 Dodge Caravan. Matthews, who was the driver of the Dodge, sustained critical injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Police arrested Inglesby on suspicion of felony DUI.

I hope David Matthews did not sustain any catastrophic injuries in this collision. I wish him the very best for a quick recovery. Please keep this injured victim in your thoughts and prayers.
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As a California personal injury lawyer who has been representing injured clients for more than three decades, a blog recently written by my friend and Dallas personal injury lawyer Jeffrey Rasansky, hit home. Jeff’s touching article titled “A Tragic Reminder of Why I Do What I Do” reminds all of us why we got into personal injury law — to help people and to hold wrongdoers accountable for their actions.
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Drunk driving commonly referred to as “Driving Under the Influence” or DUI is a term used to describe impaired driving or driving while under the influence of drugs or any other controlled chemical substance. Multiple terms are used to describe this offense, like DUI, DWI, OUI and OWI which all mean the same thing. Although different states use different terminology, the reference in which the terms are used is the same. Here is an explanation to differentiate between the different drunk driving charges:
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Gabriel Lanusse, 40, was injured in a San Francisco car accident after a teenager accused of driving under the influence, rammed head-on into his family’s minivan. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports that the accident occurred the night of February 20, 2010 in Petaluma, when Lanusse was stopped at a light on Lakeville Highway and Frates Road. The teen lost control of her car as she drove on Lakeville Highway, crossed into oncoming traffic and struck the minivan occupied by Gabriel Lanusse, his wife Kristine and two children.

Thankfully, Kristine Lanusse and the two children were not injured although the minivan was totaled and Gabriel Lanusse sustained a broken arm. The teenager suffered head injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Officials found an empty tequila bottle in her car, determined she had been drinking and arrested her on suspicion of felony DUI.
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Michelle Garcia, 20, was killed in a San Diego car accident the morning of February 20, 2010 involving a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in the North County Times, Garcia was in a 2006 Lexus driven by George Reyes traveling eastbound on Avenue S in Escondido. California Highway Patrol officials say Garcia allowed his vehicle to drift over to the right shoulder. He veered back to the left, but lost control. The Lexus crossed the median, rolled over and came to rest on its roof. Garcia was ejected from the Lexus and died at the scene. CHP officials reported that she was not wearing her seatbelt. Reyes sustained major injuries, but was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

I offer my heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Michelle Garcia for their devastating loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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A Fresno car accident involving a suspected drunk driver fatally injured a 76-year-old man the afternoon of January 24, 2010. According to a news report in the Fresno Bee, the fatal car accident occurred when 23-year-old Michael Freeman who was traveling west on McKinley Avenue, struck a Nissan Frontier that was going south on the Highway 145. The Nissan’s driver was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. Freeman was also injured. Authorities arrested Freeman on suspicion of drunk driving. A 22-year-old passenger in Freeman’s car also sustained major injuries.

My heart goes out to this victim’s family for their sudden and devastating loss. They will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.
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A 27-year-old man faces two counts of murder and other charges stemming from a fatal Los Angeles car accident, which killed 20-year-old Renee Hardy and 22-year-old Telassie Dague. According to a news report in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Alan Michael McConnell was intoxicated early morning January 23, 2010 as he drove east on Foothill Boulevard in La Verne in Dague’s car. The car collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Foothill and Damien Avenue. McConnell tried to flee the scene of the crash, lost control and hit a tree in the median. Hardy and Dague sustained fatal injuries, but McConnell was uninjured.

McConnell is also facing four misdemeanor charges for driving intoxicated, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license and for driving without proof of insurance, which is an infraction. He is facing murder charges because he has a prior DUI conviction.

My heart goes out to the families and friends of Renee Hardy and Telassie Dague for their untimely loss. This story is yet another tragic reminder of the consequences of drinking and driving. It’s a no-win situation for everyone concerned. Tragic!
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Sylvia Ziranda, 38, was killed in a car accident the night of January 20, 2010 after the vehicle in which she was a passenger was struck by a drunk driver, according to the Visalia Times Delta. California Highway Patrol officials said 23-year-old Tomas Hernandez was driving a 1991 Honda north on Road 204 near List Avenue, in Exeter, when he lost control and crashed head-on with a southbound Nissan pickup truck. Andres Rubio Soltero, 42, who was the driver of the Nissan, sustained minor injuries while his passenger, Ziranda, died from her injuries. Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and was transported to a Fresno hospital in critical condition.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Sylvia Ziranda, who have suffered a tremendous loss. I offer my deepest condolences to them. Please keep them in your prayers. I’m also relieved that Soltero did not suffer any catastrophic injuries in this accident. I wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery from his injuries.
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A 12-year-old boy sustained major injuries in a San Bernardino car accident after he was struck by a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in the Victorville Daily Press, the major injury pedestrian accident occurred the evening of January 10, 2010, when the child was skateboarding along the shoulder of the road near Lime and E streets in Hesperia. A truck driven by 49-year-old Todd Dean Thomas then hit him.

The boy suffered severe head injuries and had a compound fracture of one of his legs. He was transported to an area hospital where he is listed in stable condition. Officials conducted a DUI investigation at the location of the crash and determined that Thomas was under the influence. He has been arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving.
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