California Injury Blog
Two men were killed when a suspected drunk driver plowed into their car in Anaheim the night of May 23. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, one of the victims was ejected when a silver Mazda CX9 minivan headed east on La Palma Avenue struck his car near the intersection of Oliver Street. Anaheim police said two people in the car died and one other person suffered critical injuries.
The minivan’s driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The two injured men were transported to an area hospital. Anaheim police said they were going to arrest the driver once he is cleared to leave the hospital. Detectives believed that alcohol and drugs were factors in this crash. Police also said the minivan was involved in an earlier separate crash at Harbor Boulevard and La Palma right before the fatal collision.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of these deceased victims. We also wish the injured victim the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
California DUI Laws
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the minivan was under the influence when he reportedly caused the accident. Under California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a), it is illegal to operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. It is also against the law to drive a motor vehicle 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 face vehicular manslaughter charges under California Penal Code section 191.5 (a)
Justice for Victims
In addition to facing criminal charges and penalties, drivers who operate under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can also be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses they cause. Injured victims can seek compensation from at-fault drivers for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress.
In such cases, the victim’s family members can file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver seeking compensation for damages such as medical and funeral costs, lost future income and loss of love and companionship. In addition to criminal charges, drunk drivers can be held financially responsible as well. DUI victims or their families would be well advised to contact an experienced Anaheim personal injury attorney who will fight for their rights and ensure that the wrongdoers are held accountable.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2020/05/24/2-dead-in-suspected-dui-crash-in-anaheim/