California Injury Blog
An early morning suspected DUI crash in Covina left six people injured, officials say.
According to a KTLA news report, the injury crash occurred early morning on June 12 near Barranca Avenue and Cypress Street. Police said one vehicle crossed the centerline and collided head-on with another car headed in the opposite direction.
Major Injuries Reported
One of the vehicles, a white sedan, was carrying three children ages 4 and below and was driven by a 29-year-old woman. The other, a black SUV, was carrying two adults – a man and a woman — both in their 60s. Covina police said the occupants of both vehicles suffered serious injuries. All six were transported to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries.
The children suffered lacerations to their heads. All occupants of the sedan were said to be in critical condition. The driver of the sedan underwent surgery with life-threatening injuries and two of the three children remained in critical condition.
One of the children was in serious condition. The occupants of the SUV were in stable condition. Preliminary investigation shows a woman who was driving the sedan struck the SUV and she may have been under the influence, police said. No arrests or citations have been reported. The investigation is ongoing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was seriously injured in this crash. We wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
DUI Laws and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, officials say based on their preliminary investigation that one of the drivers may have been impaired by alcohol at the time of the collision. Under California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a), it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. California law also specifies that it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration or BAC of 0.08% or higher. For drivers of commercial vehicles, that legal limit is 0.04%.
In such cases, DUI drivers, in addition to facing criminal charges and penalties, may also be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages, and losses they cause. Injured victims may be able to claim compensation for damages including all medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitative treatment, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Injured victims and their families would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles DUI victims’ lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation, make sure their rights are protected and that they receive maximum compensation for their losses.
Source: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/6-hurt-in-head-on-crash-in-covina-alcohol-may-be-a-factor-police/