California Injury Blog
A man was fatally injured in a hit-and-run collision in Fullerton, which officials say may have also involved a suspected DUI driver.
According to a KTLA news report, the fatal crash occurred early on the morning of July 8. Officers responded to near the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Orangethorpe Avenue to a call of a person down in the eastbound lanes of Orangethorpe.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
Officers found an unresponsive male at the scene with significant injuries, consistent with a vehicle striking a pedestrian. Paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene. No other parties involved in the deadly crash remained at the scene. However, shortly after that, Fullerton police located a white Ford sedan with major collision damage in an area south of where the crash occurred.
Police investigators made contact with the alleged driver of the car, identified as 24-year-old Katya Gladys Garcia-Ayala. She was arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run and driving under the influence. The investigation into this fatal crash is ongoing. Anyone with information about the hit-and-run crash is encouraged to contact Fullerton police at 714-738-6815.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased victim for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Laws and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the vehicle may have been under the influence when she struck and fatally injured the victim. It is illegal under California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a) to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. It is also illegal to leave the scene of a fatal or major injury crash, which this driver did as well. California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a) requires motorists to stop immediately at the scene, wait for officials to arrive, and render aid to the victims.
Injured victims of hit-and-run crashes, or families that have lost loved ones in such accidents, often face emotional and financial burdens. They may be left with mounting medical expenses, funeral costs, or the loss of a family member’s income. An experienced Orange County car accident lawyer will be able to advise victims or families about how the uninsured motorist clause of their own auto insurance policy might be able to cover some of their losses in a hit and run crash where the driver hasn’t been apprehended, or in cases where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Source: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/24-year-old-woman-arrested-in-connection-with-deadly-fullerton-hit-and-run-crash/