California Injury Blog
A 26-year-old man was killed in a Huntington Beach pedestrian accident involving a woman who was driving under the influence. According to a report in The Orange County Register, police officers who responded to the scene found the 26-year-old male victim lying in the roadway on Springdale Street near Croupier Drive, early on the morning of August 12.
Fatal Collision
The driver, a 22-year-old woman, had stopped and was waiting nearby with her car. Police said she was driving northbound on Springdale when she struck the man. She reportedly cooperated with police who arrested her on suspicion of driving under the influence. Anyone with information is urged to contact Huntington Beach police at 714-536-5670. The investigation is ongoing.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased victim for their heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Alcohol and drugs reduce brain function and impair thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination – all vital skills and abilities that are required to operate a vehicle safely. As the levels of drugs or alcohol in a person’s nervous system increases, the negative effects of the intoxicants on the nervous system increase as well. This is why it is extremely dangerous to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Laws and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the vehicle that struck the pedestrian may have been under the influence at the time. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a), it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The same section also states that it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another could potentially face vehicular manslaughter charges under California Penal Code section 191.5 (a).
When it comes to DUI crashes, at-fault drivers, in addition to facing criminal penalties, can also be held financially liable for the injuries, damages, and losses they cause. Families that have lost their loved ones as the result of a DUI driver’s actions may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, the victim’s pain and suffering, and loss of love, care, and companionship. An experienced Huntington Beach DUI victims’ lawyer will be able to help victims and their families better understand their legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2020/08/12/woman-arrested-for-dui-after-fatally-hitting-pedestrian-in-huntington-beach/