There are many reasons why people in California should not drink and drive. Most importantly, drivers under the influence of alcohol can be the cause of car accidents that place many people on or near the road at risk. Police believe that a recent fatal accident was caused by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
The crash happened in the early morning hours of a day in October. Police report that a car driven by a 21-year-old male driver hit a tree in the median. Witnesses say that the vehicle then rolled before resting on its tires.
Witnesses also report that a passenger in the backseat, a 19-year-old female, was ejected from the car. She was transported to the hospital with major injuries, but she later passed away. A 19-year-old passenger in the front seat was trapped. Rescue workers were able to extricate him from the vehicle by using the jaws of life. He remains hospitalized, where he is in critical condition.The driver, who suffered no injuries, was arrested at the scene and faces charges related to driving under the influence.
It is hard to imagine what the family of the deceased young woman is experiencing as they struggle to come to terms with their loss. While still grieving, they will also likely be faced with the financial consequences of the accident, including funeral expenses and medical bills. The other injured passenger will also likely have extensive medical bills. Many victims of car accidents such as this seek relief from such financial burdens in a California civil court. If it can be proved that negligence caused the accident, the court could order that damages be paid to the victims, including the surviving family members of the deceased.
Source: actionnewsnow.com, “One arrested for DUI in fatal crash in Chico overnight”, Oct. 1, 2015