Police Officer in San Bernardino Seriously by Suspected DUI Driver

SB Police Officer Struck By Suspected Drunk Driver

A police officer in San Bernardino was seriously injured when he was struck by a suspected DUI driver late last night.  According to KNBC News, the collision occurred at about 10:40 p.m. near the intersection of Mt. Vernon Avenue and 5th Street.  The officer had apparently arrested two people and was placing them in the back seat of his police cruiser when 18-year-old Steven Portillo of San Bernardino.crashed his car into the officer.  Portillo tried to flee the scene but was quickly apprehended and taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence.

What To Do When You Have Been a Victim of an Auto Accident 

When you have been involved in an automobile accident it is important to remember there are always two sides to every story.  For that reason, you should document as much as you safely can at the accident scene.  Taking cell phone photographs and getting witness information is something you should do if you are able to while still at the scene.  Cases will sometimes depend on reconstructing the accident based on witness accounts and property damage.  

If you have questions about your potential case, contacting an experienced auto accident attorney is often the best way to find out whether you the right to be compensated for any injuries or damages sustained.  Attorney Paul W. Ralph has more than 23 years of experience at handling auto accident cases, and he can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a free consultation.  

SOURCE: San Bernardino Police Officer Struck by Car During Arrest, KNBC News, June 24, 2014, by Samia Khan

Easter Morning Accident in Palmdale Leaves Sleeping Teen Fatally Injured

A 16-year-old Palmdale girl was killed Easter morning when a suspected drunk driver crashed his SUV into the her family's apartment and into the girl's room where she was sleeping.  According to KTLA news, the innocent victim, Giselle Mendoza, was asleep in her bedroom  when the Nissan Pathfinder crashed through a protective fence and into her bedroom. The crash occurred in the 1000 block of East Avenue R in Palmdale.  The driver of the Nissan, 20-year-old Roberto Rodriguez, was initially booked on charges of driving while under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.  He has since been released on bail.

Scene of the Accident

The above accident happened at the intersection of 10th Street and Avenue R.  The apartment complex where Mendoza was sleeping is surrounded by what appears to be a protective fence made of metal.  However, the barrier simply was not enough to stop the Pathfinder from striking the wall of the complex and entering Mendoza's bedroom.  It is unknown why the fence was placed around the complex in the first place.  

The intersection itself does not appear to be unusual in any way.  The roadway in all directions is relatively flat with no apparent visual obstructions.  

If you have been injured or a family member has been killed in an auto accident, contacting an experienced injury attorney can be the best first step toward obtaining compensation for the injuries and damages sustained.  Nothing can unwind the tragedy of a fatal accident, but obtaining civil justice may help bring closure.  

SOURCE:  Loved Ones Remember Palmdale Girl Killed in Suspected DUI Crash, KTLA News, April 21, 2014, by Kareen Wynter

Fatal Crash on Santa Ana Street - Suspected DUI Driver Arrested

Early Thursday morning one person was killed and four others were hospitalized after a suspected DUI crash in Orange County.  According to KTLA News, the collision happened at about 1:15 a.m. when the driver of a Honda, traveling at a high rate of speed, lost control and hit a fence and utility pole on North Fairview Street.  A male passenger in the car, 23 years old, died as a result of the impact, and the other three passengers were all in critical condition.  The driver of the Honda, 20-year-old Ulises Mendoza, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and was later booked into the Santa Ana jail on charges ranging from gross vehicular manslaughter to DUI under the age of 21.

What You Should Do After an Injury Auto Accident

The accident above is an unfortunate reminder that no matter how many times collisions like this are reported in the media, there are those drivers who will get behind the wheel while intoxicated.  If you are the victim in such an accident, you have rights, and those include the right to be compensated for your injuries and damages.  One way to make sure you have done everything you can to protect yourself is to contact a personal injury attorney.  An experienced attorney will have the ability to: obtain the Traffic Collision Report, interview witnesses, inspect the scene, gather medical records/bills, gather wage loss information and present the necessary paperwork to the adverse insurance company for consideration.

Not all claims can be settled short of litigation, so it is important to be represented by an attorney who has spent considerable time in court and who knows the litigation process.  Filing the lawsuit is just the beginning, and civil cases can involve years of written discovery and depositions.  While the vast majority of cases settle prior to trial, every case's value is affected by the pre-trial litigation process.  This fact makes it that much more important to retain a seasoned attorney who can carefully navigate through the process to bring you the optimal result.

if you or a loved one has been the victim in a serious automobile accident, an Orange County injury attorney with more than 22 years of experience can help.

SOURCE:  Driver Charged With DUI After Santa Ana Crash That Killed 1, Injured 4, KTLA News, November 22, 2013, by John A. Moreno

Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Riverside Involves Suspected DUI Driver

A pedestrian was killed early this morning in Riverside when the driver of a pickup truck lost control and drove onto a sidewalk.   According to the report by KABC News, the 43-year-old victim was being struck by a suspected drunken at about 2:30 a.m. in Riverside.  The accident happened at about 2:30 a.m. near the intersection of Crest Avenue and Babb Avenue.  According to witnesses, the driver, 19-year-old Mena Joel Guzman, was driving north on Crest when he could not negotiate a curve and drove onto the sidewalk.  The pedestrian, who has yet to be identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.  Guzman was subsequently arrested for vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI and booked into jail.  The Riverside Police Department's Major Accident Investigation Team is still investigating the cause of the crash and anyone with information is asked to call Detective Ken Madsen at (951) 826-8723.

Scene of the Accident

The scene of the accident is in a residential area and the intersection is somewhat angulated beyond the normal 90 degrees.  While the roadway configuration may have played some role in this accident, it will take a full blown accident reconstruction to make that final determination.  When a roadway is inherently unsafe and the driver impaired (due to alcohol, drugs, fatigue, etc.), it is easy to see how that would be a recipe for disaster.  While there is a stop sign at the intersection, there does not appear to be any curve warning sign for northbound Crest vehicles.  There does not appear to be many street lights in the area of the accident, and lighting will have to be evaluated to see if it was a contributing cause of this tragic accident.  One thing is clear from the description of the accident above, the pedestrian likely shares no part of the blame for what happened.

DUI Accidents in Riverside

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, the City of Riverside is among the safer cities when compared to others of similar size.  Where Riverside does not fair well is in terms of city ranking for accidents involving people under 21 who had been drinking.  Riverside ranks 5th out of 13 in that category, meaning only four similar-sized cities are worse.  It should be remembered that California has a zero tolerance program for drivers under the age of 21 who have been drinking.  If an underage driver demonstrates a blood alcohol level of even .01 or greater they may lose their license and/or be convicted of driving under the influence.

If you or a family member has been the victim of a DUI driver, a personal injury attorney with experience at handling such cases may be of assistance in obtaining the monetary compensation allowed under the law.  

SOURCE:  Riverside suspected DUI crash: Pedestrian dead, driver arrested, KABC News, July 13, 2013, by Inland Empire news.

Suspected Drunk Driver Causes School Bus Collision

Yesterday afternoon five children were injured in a school bus crash, reportedly caused by a suspected drunk driver.  The accident occurred a little after 3:00 p.m. when a female driver made a left turn in the path of the bus at a Gardena intersection.  The 30-year-old driver of the Mitsubishi Eclipse was taken for a medical evaluation and was to be booked on suspicion of drunk driving.  According to the CHP officer investigating the accident, the woman had the odor of alcohol on her breath.  Fortunately, none of the injuries to the children or the bus driver were described as serious.

See the KTLA news story and video HERE.

Drunk driving accidents are far too common, and the one above is a perfect example of what happens.  A driver, who probably doesn't think they are impaired, makes a poorly calculated decision they can make a turn safely when in fact the oncoming vehicle (bus) was too close, causing the accident.  In this instance, the impact was severe enough to all but demolish the front of the bus and send it into a nearby building.  Everyone aboard the bus is fortunate the injuries were not more severe.  Now, the female driver of the Mitsubishi faces felony drunk driving charges (because of the injuries) and civil liability for her violation of the law.  If the driver is found guilty of a violation of the left turn law (California Vehicle Code Section 21801) and/or the drunk driving statute (California Vehicle Code Section 23152), her civil liability will have been likewise established by the doctrine of "negligence per se."

Compensation for the victims of drunk driving collisions should be an important concern for all Californians.  When an impaired driver carelessly causes a serious or fatal accident, they should be held accountable for the injuries and damages to the victims and those family members left behind.  An attorney with experience at handling DUI accident cases can make a fair assessment of these claims.  Mr. Ralph has more than 21 years years of experience handling traffic collision cases.  He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE 

CONSULTATION.

Have you or a loved one been seriously injured in an accident caused by an impaired driver?

Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.