California Injury Blog
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!
Los Angeles DUI Car Accidents
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one fatality and 12 injuries involving DUI car accidents in La Verne. Countywide, 268 deaths and 5,169 injuries were reported as a result of alcohol-related car crashes during the same year.
DUI Laws
Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is a serious crime in California. 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.” In cases where a person has had prior DUI convictions, prosecutors may charge the defendant with murder instead of vehicular manslaughter, which is what occurred in this case.
Wrongful Death Claim
In car accidents where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims can file what is known as a wrongful death claim. Such claims seek compensation to cover funeral expenses, lost earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. In this case, the article states that the driver, McConnell, had no license and no car insurance. In accident cases involving uninsured or underinsured drivers, an experienced and knowledgeable Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can advise victims and their families about how their own car insurance policy applies to the incident.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.