Most drivers know that driving under the influence of alcohol isn’t just a bad idea. It’s also illegal. Despite that, a California woman was accused of causing a drunk driving accident on a California freeway. After multiple arraignments were delayed for various reasons, the woman was recently arraigned on murder charges for fatalities that occurred during the wreck.
On Feb. 9, local police received reports of a vehicle that was driving the wrong direction on multiple freeways. When the wreck occurred, the alleged drunk driver was reportedly headed eastbound on the westbound side of Freeway 60. Unable to avoid a collision, an SUV was struck head-on by the wrong-way vehicle.
While the driver that is said to have caused the wreck was hospitalized for serious injuries, the other motorist and passengers involved in the wreck did not fare as well. Both of the woman’s passengers were killed in the wreck, and all of four of the passengers in the SUV died. The ages of the victims ranged from 20 to 47 years old, and at least two of the women killed were related.
Some witnesses claim that a can of beer was discovered in the front seat of the woman who is said to have caused the apparent drunk driving accident, but it is not clear whether it was empty or unopened. Additionally, some reports noted that the vehicle appeared to be traveling at a high rate of speed. Although not required to pursue a wrongful death claim in California, the woman’s criminal charges for drunk driving and murder — as well as any evidence related to such — can be a critical tool for the victim’s families who choose to pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver. This is particularly true if a conviction is ultimately secured. If a civil claim is successfully presented, compensation can help abate financial burdens such as medical bills or unexpected funeral costs that were incurred from the wreck.
Source: dailybulletin.com, “21-year-old accused in Diamond Bar DUI crash that killed 6 due back in court Friday“, Doug Saunders, July 17, 2014