California Injury Blog
Rodolfo De Los Santos, 54, was seriously injured in a Ventura car accident, which officials say, was caused by a driver who was under the influence of drugs. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the injury collision occurred the afternoon of September 11, 2011 on Highway 126, near Sespe Creek, in Fillmore.
California Highway Patrol officials say De Los Santos was riding his motorcycle east on Highway 126 when a vehicle that was going the wrong way on the highway struck him. De Los Santos was thrown off his motorcycle and suffered a broken leg, road rash and abrasions. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The wrong way driver, identified as 70-year-old Alicia Gonzalez, has been booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.
My heart goes out to Rodolfo De Los Santos, who has suffered serious injuries in this DUI collision. I wish him the very best for a prompt and complete recovery. He will be in my thoughts and prayers.
DUI Statistics
According to CHP’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities but seven injuries involving DUI collisions in Fillmore. In Ventura County as a whole, 23 people died and 392 were injured due to alcohol-related crashes during the same year.
California DUI Law
Based on this news report, the driver, Gonzalez, was driving under the influence of drugs. 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.”
Protecting Victims’ Rights
In such cases, the driver operating under the influence can not only face criminal charges, but also be held civilly liable for the injuries and damages caused. Injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Ventura personal injury lawyer, who has a successful track record of financially pursuing drunk drivers on behalf of car accident victims and their families. For more information about the dangers of driving under the influence, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) web site at www.madd.org.
| Drunk Driving Car Accident Attorneys in Ventura | ||||
Do you think that convicted drunk drivers should have to use ignition interlock devices (breathalizers installed in their vehicle) before they start their cars after their first offense?
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