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October 17, 2011

One Killed, Several Injured in Porterville Bus Crash on Highway 190

TULARE COUNTY -- A devastating bus accident in the city of Porterville left a woman killed and several injured. According to the Porterville Recorder, Tashia Laird, 27, of Porterville, was a passenger in a Dodge Neon that rear-ended a bus on Highway 190 and Jay Street around 2:25 a.m. Sunday. Police officials indicated the driver of the Dodge was traveling at a high speed before the crash, and believe alcohol may have been a factor.

Following the collision, Laird was reported to have died at the scene, while the driver of the Dodge, Francisco Luna, 26, of Strathmore, and another passenger, Omar Ibarra, 21, of Lindsay, sustained major injuries and were airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. Five passengers on the bus complained about pain and were transported to Sierra View District Hospital for further treatment.

Cause of the Crash in Porterville

The accident on October 16th remains under investigation by the Porterville Police Department. However, based on the information provided by the Fresno Bee and the Porterville Recorder, it appears the driver of the Dodge Neon may be at fault for traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash and the speculation that alcohol might have been a factor. Therefore, occupants inside the car and on the bus may have had no way to prevent or avoid this terrible collision.

Bus Accident Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

While the investigation of this accident is ongoing, victims or the family of the victims would be well-advised to contact either a California personal injury lawyer or a California wrongful death attorney. An attorney who has handled collisions involving automobiles and busses, can advise the injured victims or the family of the deceased victim of their legal rights, and decided the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation they are entitled to for medical care expenses, funeral/burial costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other related damages in this horrible bus accident.

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September 29, 2011

Man Killed in Salinas DUI Car Crash

highway 183.pngMONTEREY COUNTY -- A man killed in a fatal multi-vehicle car crash early Sunday morning has been identified as Gustavo Quintero, Salinas Californian reports. Quintero, 44, of Salinas, was traveling northbound on Highway 138 near McFadden Road, when a Chevy pick-up truck, driven by Melquiadez Mota Gomez, 29, of Watsonville, struck Quintero's vehicle head-on. Witnesses who saw Gomez driving prior to the crash said he was driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed. Following this tragic collision, authorities reported Quintero had died at the scene. According to the CHP, Gomez was arrested and booked into the Monterey County Jail on charges of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter.

Cause of the Salinas Car Accident

The accident on September 25th remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, based on the information provided by news reports, it appears Gomez may be is at fault for the accident due to driving under the influence. Therefore, Quintero had no way to prevent or avoid this terrible collision.

DUI Car Accident Wrongful Death Liability

Driving while drunk can have severe and catastrophic consequences to any parties involved. A person who drives under the influence will not only face criminal charges, but can be held financially liable for injured or death victims involved in the accident. Therefore, if authorities conclude that the driver who drove drunk is fully responsible for the accident, the family of the victim would be well-advised to contact a California wrongful death lawyer. A knowledgeable attorney who has the experience in DUI head-on collisions such as this one, can provide the victim's family the assistance they may need in protecting their legal rights, and help them decide the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation for funeral/burial costs, future and anticipated lifetime earnings and benefits, loss of love, care, and companionship, and other related damages in this devastating car accident.

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April 19, 2011

Five People Injured in Crash Near Smith River in Del Norte County

DEL NORTE COUNTY - A 58-year-old Smith River woman and four passengers were injured Sunday, April 17, 2011, in a possible alcohol-related accident on First Street, south of North Beckstead Avenue, the Times-Standard reported. The driver, Shirley Sherman, 58, was driving a 1998 Geo Prizm northbound on First Street at about 10:30 p.m. when her vehicle drifted to the right and collided with a parked vehicle. Passenger Cecil Sherman of Loleta suffered major injuries. Passengers Debra Sherman, 44, and Marvin Richards, 53, suffered moderate injuries, and passenger Ronald Richards, 52, suffered minor injuries. The CHP reported none of the occupants of the vehicle were properly restrained, and that drunk driving was likely a factor. The incident remains under investigation.

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March 22, 2011

Passenger Injured in Suspected Drunk Driving Crash in Merced

rstreetmerced.jpgMERCED COUNTY - A passenger was taken to a Merced-area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Friday night, following a suspected drunk driving crash in the 2300 block of R Street, the Merced Sun Star reported. The suspected drunk driver, Shaneil Pollard, 27, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and booked in the Merced County Jail. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact officer Chavez at (209) 388-7713 or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at (209) 385-4725.

DUI Accident Passenger Injury Liability

In addition to criminal charges for driving under the influence, the suspected drunk driver may also be liable for the injuries sustained by his passenger. If the investigation confirms the driver is responsible for this accident, the injured victim may be entitled to damages for medical care expenses, time away from work, and pain and suffering. While this March 18th accident remains under investigation, the family members of the injured passenger would be well-advised to speak with an experienced drunk driving accident injury victim lawyer. A knowledgeable attorney who has represented numerous victims of DUI accidents can advise the victim and his or her family of their best course of action to hold the responsible driver - and anyone else who contributed to this accident - fully accountable.

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October 5, 2010

One Person Killed, One Injured in Suspected DUI Crash in Paso Robles

alcohol-and-keys.jpgPolice are continuing to investigate a fatal head-on collision in Paso Robles Sunday night that authorities say was caused by a suspected drunk driver. According to the Paso Robles Police Department, the accident occurred at 8:17 p.m. on Serenade Drive. The suspected drunk driver, Jennifer Chill, 45, was driving up the hill, while at the same time, Jacob Scott Keller, 20, was driving down the hill in the opposite direction. Chill's car reportedly crossed into oncoming traffic and struck Keller's pickup truck head-on. As a result of the impact, the pickup truck overturned and both Keller and his passenger, Nolan Martinez, 19, were ejected. Keller died at the scene of the crash and Martinez was taken to Twin Cities Hospital with serious injuries.

Cause of the October 3rd Paso Robles Crash

The Paso Robles Police Department reported Jennifer Chill was arrested for felony driving under the influence of alcohol/ drugs and was also charged with vehicular manslaughter. She was booked at the Paso Robles Police Department and later taken to the San Luis Obispo County Jail. If news reports are accurate, Chill made the choice to drink and drive - head-on collisions such as this one are not mere "accidents." They are 100% preventable. Drinking and driving destroys lives and families, and must stop. Our condolences go out to the families of the two victims. We wish Nolan Martinez the best for a full recovery.

DUI Accidents and Driver Liability for Injuries and Deaths

In addition to the criminal charges Jennifer Chill is facing for causing this fatal accident, she also may be civilly liable for the death of Jacob Keller and the serious injuries sustained by Nolan Martinez. In situations such as this San Luis Obispo County accident, where a drunk driver is suspected of causing a head-on collision, the family members of the two victims of this crash would be well-advised ton contact an experienced and knowledgeable DUI accident head-on crash lawyer. An attorney who has aggressively represented victims of drunk driving accidents can help the victims' families understand and protect their rights to pursue the maximum available compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death claim, and hold the driver financially accountable for the devastation that she caused.

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September 14, 2010

Bicyclist Killed, Pedestrian Seriously Injured in Fresno

parkway-fresno.jpgA 60-year-old Fresno man died Sunday afternoon when his bicycle was struck by a BMW driven by a suspected impaired driver in Fresno, the Fresno Bee reported. The victim, Ignacio Rebullosa, was riding his bike in the 900 block of North Parkway at about 2:20 p.m when he was struck. Rebullosa died at the scene of the crash. A 62-year-old man who was walking in the area was also struck, and had to have one of his arms amputated as a result of his injuries.

According to Fresno Police, the driver of the BMW, Kenneth Alameda, 45, has a criminal history of drug related charges. Alameda is currently undergoing a mental evaluation at Community Regional Medical Center. Toxicology tests are pending to confirm whether alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in the September 12th accident. After the accident, Alameda reportedly threw beer bottles at an officer, who had to deploy a bean bag projectile to subdue him.

Cause of the Accident

If news reports are accurate, Alameda is likely responsible for both seriously injuring the pedestrian and killing Rebullosa. However, the cause of the accident remains under investigation by Fresno Police.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

If it is determined that Alameda caused this accident by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or a combination of both, he may be liable for the catastrophic injuries sustained by the pedestrian and the death of Rebullosa. While this accident remains under investigation, the family members of both victims may benefit from speaking to a knowledgeable California personal injury attorney about their rights in a personal injury or DUI accident wrongful death claim. If the drivers was uninsured or did not carry enough insurance coverage to fairly compensate the two victims, a skilled lawyer may be able to help the victims recover compensation from their own insurance policy, if they had one.

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September 7, 2010

Bakersfield Woman Hurt in Alcohol-Related Crash

truxtun-ave.jpgA 21-year-old Bakersfield woman reportedly suffered moderate injuries in a suspected alcohol-related accident just after midnight early Saturday morning in Bakersfield, the Bakersfield Californian reported. The woman, who was not identified, was a passenger in a 2002 Saturn driven by a 21-year-old Bakersfield man. According to news reports, the driver of the Saturn was travelling westbound on Truxtun Avenue under the Freeway 99 overpass. The driver apparently struck the north curb line just east of Bahamas Drive and then crossed the center divider and struck an eastbound vehicle head-on. The occupants of the other vehicle were apparently not injured. The 21-year-old woman riding in the Saturn was pinned and unconscious. Paramedics and firefighters extricated her and transported her to Kern Medical Center.

Cause of the Crash

Bakersfield Police are still investigating the cause of the Kern County accident. Any witnesses are asked to contact the Bakersfield Police Department at (661)327-7111. However, if news reports are accurate, this crash was likely caused by the driver of the Saturn, who was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury.

DUI Accidents and Personal Injury Liability

In cases such as this one, where a passenger suffers injuries in an accident believed to be caused by a suspected impaired driver, the injured victim has legal rights. While this injury accident remains under investigation, the family members of the injured victim would be well-advised to talk to a California personal injury lawyer. An attorney who has represented numerous injured passengers in alcohol-related car accidents can help the victim protect her unique legal rights and ensure she receives the maximum possible compensation for her injuries, including her medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

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August 5, 2010

Three Killed, Three Injured in Alcohol-Related Crash in Fresno

fresno-accident.jpgThree people died Wednesday afternoon in a crash near Easton, the Fresno Bee reported. The crash was reported to the California Highway Patrol at 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of American Avenue and Fig Avenue. According to news reports, Orlando Gomez-Benitez, 20, of Fresno, was travelling northbound on Fig Avenue when he allegedly did not stop at the stop sign at American Avenue. His Pontic Sunfire was struck by a Honda Accord travelling westbound on American Avenue. The three passengers in the Pontiac, who reportedly were not wearing seat belts, were ejected from the vehicle. Two passengers died at the scene; a third died at Community Regional Medical Center. Gomez-Benitez suffered major injuries. Both the driver of the Honda, Danny Hernandez, 27, of Fresno, and a passenger, Rogelio Cinco, 16, of Fresno, were also injured.

Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Liability

Although some news outlets initially reported that alcohol was not a factor in the crash, the Fresno Bee reported that Gomez-Benitez was arrested on felony DUI charges. If this is accurate and this August 4th crash is the result of drunk driving, the driver, Orlando Gomez-Benitez, may be held both criminally and civilly liable for his actions and the passenger deaths and passenger injuries he caused. While this accident remains under investigation, the family members of the victims of this crash would be well-advised to consult with a northern California drunk driving accident attorney about their legal rights in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. If the driver did not have adequate insurance coverage, a skilled and knowledgeable lawyer may be able to help the victims' recover damages from their own insurance policies.

Our Commitment to Stopping Drunk Driving

At Estey Bomberger, we take a strong position against drunk driving and support all efforts to stop it, as well as maximum criminal penalties for drunk drivers. We believe accidents caused by drunk drivers are 100% preventable, and there is no excuse for drinking and driving. Visit our website, stop-drunk-driving.com, to learn more about the epidemic of drunk driving and how it destroys lives and tears apart families.

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August 4, 2010

Motorcyclist Killed, 10 Injured in Alcohol-Related Crash on Interstate 505

i-505.jpgAccording to KCRA News, a motorcyclist died Tuesday night and 10 people were injured, including two young children, in a crash on Interstate 505 near Winters that the CHP says was alcohol related. The Yolo County crash occurred around 10 p.m. when a vehicle carrying six people spun out of control and struck a guardrail near SR 128. The driver of that vehicle was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. Two cars travelling southbound on 505 were not able to avoid the wreckage. A motorcyclist also swerved to avoid the wreckage, but ended up losing control and crashing. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The injured victims were taken to four area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to major.

Cause of the Winters Crash

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the August 3rd multi vehicle crash near Winters. However, if news reports are accurate, it appears that the accident was at least partially, if not completely, caused by a drunk driver. Toxicology tests are pending and the CHP is also investigating other possible contributing factors.

Liability for Injuries and Deaths Resulting From Drunk Driving Accidents

Drinking and driving kills more than a thousand people a year in California alone. At Estey Bomberger, our personal injury attorneys fight to protect the rights of injured victims of car vs. motorcycle drunk driving accidents, and families who have lost loved ones in accidents caused by drunk drivers. In situations such as this one, the family members of the victims of this Highway 505 crash would be well-advised to contact a northern California drunk driving accident injury lawyer about their legal rights following this accident. A skilled lawyer can help them hold the at-fault parties responsible and recover the maximum compensation they may be entitled to for their injuries or loved one's wrongful death.

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July 28, 2010

Major Injuries Reported in Highway 12 Head-On Collision

road-at-night-eb.jpgThree people were taken to hospitals with major injuries following a violent three-car collision on Highway 12 in Glen Ellen on Sunday night, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported. The crash occurred west of Madrone Road at about 9 p.m., and involved a Nissan Altima, a Honda CRV, and a silver Acura RSX.

According to news reports, the driver of the Nissan, Edgar Ramirez, 30, swerved into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with the Honda CRV driven by Stacy Burmer, 44, of Sanger. The Acura was directly behind Burmer's Honda CRV. The driver of the Acura, Jessica Petro, 27, of Santa Rosa, swerved to avoid the oncoming Nissan but hit the Honda and then struck a guardrail.

Ramirez and Burmer both suffered "severe" injuries and were taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and Queen of the Valley Hospital. A passenger in the Honda CRV, Debra Skelton, 40, of Sanger, was also taken to Memorial Hospital, along with Jessica Petro, the driver of the Acura.

Cause of the Highway 12 Crash

According to news reports in the Sonoma Index-Tribune, the CHP public information officer for the Napa region said the CHP is continuing its investigation to determine if Ramirez was under the influence of alcohol, "as it appears," when he hit Burmer's Honda. The cause of the July 12th Highway 12 crash remains under investigation. However, it sounds like this crash may have been alcohol-related.

Head-on Crashes and Personal Injury Liability

When another driver crosses into oncoming traffic on a highway and causes a head-on collision, he may be liable for the serious injuries of everyone involved. In situations such as this one, where drunk driving may have been a contributing factor in a crash, the family members of the victims would be well-advised to contact a DUI accident head-on collision attorney as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer who has represented victims of alcohol-related crashes can help the victims protect their legal rights and obtain the maximum compensation for their injuries, including their medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering related to an accident.

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July 27, 2010

8-Year-Old Boy Killed in 120 MPH Drunk Driving Crash on Highway 1

drinking-driving-eb.jpgAn 8-year-old boy was the victim of a high-speed alcohol-related accident on Highway 1 early Tuesday morning in Seaside, KSBW News reported. The boy, who was not identified, was a passenger in a 1993 Lexus GS 300 sedan that was estimated to be travelling faster than 120 mph.

According to news reports, the driver of the Lexus, the father of the 8-year-old, tried to exit the freeway at the Fremont / Del Monte Blvd exit in Seaside, but was travelling too fast. The vehicle hit a guardrail and was sheared in half.

The driver of the Lexus, Zabdiel Arciga of Marina, suffered only minor injuries and was arrested on suspicion of DUI by Cal State Monterey Bay Police. His son was flown to Valley Medical Center in San Jose, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Drunk Driving Needs to Stop

This July 27th accident is appalling and heartbreaking at the same time. A young life was taken in a horrific that could so easily have been prevented. It is just another reminder of how drunk driving is an epidemic problem in California. Why would a grown adult drive 120 mph with a young child in the car? This year, there have been a number of innocent children killed as passengers in alcohol-related accidents. Just this weekend, a 4-year-old boy was killed in an alcohol-related accident in Tulare County, when the driver of the vehicle he was riding in ran a stop sign.

Make the Choice to Never Drink and Drive

At Estey Bomberger, our DUI accident wrongful death attorneys are only too aware of how drunk driving takes innocent lives and destroys families every single day. Visit our website stop-drunk-driving.com to learn what you can do to stop drunk driving in your community. The decision to not drink and drive starts with you.

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July 25, 2010

4-Year-Old Boy Killed in Suspected Drunk Driving Crash in Orosi

please-dont-drink-drive.jpgA 4-year-old boy tragically died Friday night in a suspected DUI crash near Cutler, the California Highway Patrol reported. According to news reports in the Fresno Bee, the victim, 4-year-old Angel Lopez, was a passenger in a Toyota driven eastbound on Avenue 440 by Rodolfo Rangle, 32, of Cutler.

Rangle apparently ran a stop sign at the intersection of Avenue 440 and Road 120, and drove into the path of a northbound 2001 Dodge. The driver of the Dodge braked to try and avoid the collision, but the front bumper of the vehicle collided with the right side of the Toyota.

Lopez was flown to Community Regional Medical Center, where he died of his injuries. Rangle was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. It was not clear what the relationship was between Rangle and Lopez. The occupants of the Dodge, Evelyn Hernandez, 55, of Orange Cove, 4-year-old Destiny Raygoza of Visalia and 60-year-old Alice Hernandez of Visalia, were taken to Kaweah Delta Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Please keep the family of Angel Lopez in your prayers as they are grieving the loss of this young, innocent boy. If news reports of this July 23rd accident are true, it is absolutely appalling that a grown adult would knowingly endanger a child by driving under the influence of alcohol.

Cause of the Tulare County Crash

Based on the news reports, it appears that this two-vehicle collision was caused by the suspected drunk driver, Rodolfo Rangle. If news reports are accurate and he is determined to have caused this crash because he was driving under the influence of alcohol, he may be facing criminal charges for his passenger's death and the injuries of the occupants of the Dodge. Additionally, Rangle may be held financially responsible for the serious personal injuries of the occupants of the Dodge, and the drunk driving wrongful death of his passenger.

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July 22, 2010

Five People Injured in Suspected DUI Crash on Highway 89

CA-89-shield-eb.pngFour people were injured in a head-on collision on Highway 89 Wednesday night in Nevada County, the Sierra Sun reported. The accident was reported south of Rampart at about 5 p.m. According to news reports, A 1998 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck heading north collided with a 2002 Acura MDX SUV headed south. The impact sent the Acura down a nearby embankment where it struck a cyclist. The three occupants of the Acura, a 42-year-old woman, a 66-year-old woman and a 6-year-old girl, all from Tahoe City, suffered major injuries in the crash. The 34-year-old driver of the Chevrolet truck, a Squaw Valley resident, suffered major injuries. The cyclist, a man from Salt Lake City, suffered minor injuries.

Cause of the Highway 89 Crash

The Sierra Sun reported that the driver of the pickup truck, who was taken to Tahoe Forest Hospital, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. It is not clear if he was driving on the wrong-side of the road or how exactly the collision occurred.

Drunk Driving Accidents and Personal Injury Liability

In this particular Highway 89 crash, it is determined that the driver of the northbound Chevy pickup truck caused the head-on collision, he or she may be liable for the injuries of the three occupants of the Acura and the cyclist. When accidents are caused by a drunk driver, in addition to criminal charges for driving under the influence, the driver may be liable for the victims' medical treatment expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. The victims' family would be well-advised to consult with an experienced northern California personal injury lawyer, who has successfully represented victims of accidents caused by drunk drivers.

Protecting the Rights of DUI Accident Victims

At Estey Bomberger, we believe accidents caused by drunk drivers are 100% preventable. The decision to drink and drive is both reckless and negligent, and drivers who drive under the influence should be held accountable for their actions. For more information about what you can do to stop drinking and driving in your community, visit our website stop-drunk-driving.com.

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July 20, 2010

Two Cloverdale Women Killed in Suspected DUI Crash Near Geyserville

wine-dui-eb.jpg

A wine-tasting outing ended in tragedy when a suspected drunk driver killed two women in a side-impact collision on Geyserville Avenue, the San Francisco Examiner reported. The Sonoma County accident, which involved a 2004 Hyundai SUV and a 2001 Subaru Forrester, occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on Geyservile Avenue, just east of U.S. Highway 101. Authorities believe the driver of the Hyundai, Lyndsay Murray-Mazany was under the influence of alchol when she drove strait through a 90-degree turn and struck the left side of the eastbound 2001 Subaru Forrester.

Two passengers and close friends in the Subaru, Beverly Jones and Nancy McBride, both 77 and from Cloverdale, were killed on impact. The driver of the Subaru, Katherine Hinzman, 56, of Cloverdale, and two other passengers, Alice Sheperia, 82, and Barbara King, 70, both of Cloverdale, suffered moderate to major injuries. All were taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Neither Murray-Mazany or the three passengers in her Hyundai were hurt. The CHP is investigating the crash. According to the Press Democrat, the CHP was retracing the route of the Murray-Mazany and the wine-tasting group, to see if any people in the tasting rooms had observed signs of impairment or intoxication.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of all of the victims of this crash, a tight-knit group of women from Cloverdale who were headed to dinner after watching a play in Santa Rosa. Please keep all of their families in your prayers.

DUI Accidents and Liability Considerations

When a driver under the influence of alcohol causes an accident, that driver is responsible for the consequences of her actions, and in addition to criminal charges for drunk driving, may be held financially liable for the injuries or death that occur. While this accident remains under investigation, the family members of all of the occupants in the Subaru would be well-advised to speak to a northern California personal injury attorney as soon as possible about a civil claim for this drunk driving accident. A skilled lawyer can help the victims of this accident protect their legal rights to hold the driver (and any other parties that may be liable for this crash) fully responsible for the serious injuries and wrongful deaths that occurred in this crash.

Advocates for Stopping Drunk Driving

At Estey Bomberger, we believe every accident caused by a drunk driver is 100% preventable. Our attorneys are advocates for reducing the number of serious accidents that are caused by drunk drivers by raising awareness about how drunk driving destroys lives and tears apart families. The decision to stop drunk driving can start with you. Visit our website, stop-drunk-driving.com to learn more about what you can do to stop drunk driving in your community.

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July 8, 2010

Four Teens Hurt In Suspected DUI Crash in Folsom

In what is a tragic reminder of the consequences of drinking and driving, four teens were injured, three seriously, in a horrific SUV rollover crash in Folsom late Wednesday night. Folsom Police say alcohol and drugs appeared to play a role in the solo vehicle crash. Broken whiskey bottles, marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia were found nearby, the Sacramento Bee reported.

The accident occurred on Heritage Place just before midnight on Wednesday, July 7th. Police say the SUV was speeding north on Heritage when the driver swerved onto a sidewalk and rolled multiple times. The 17-year-old unlicensed driver, the only one of the four occupants wearing a seat belt, suffered only minor injuries. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence causing serious injury and booked at the Sacramento Juvenile Hall. The three other teens, two males and one female, suffered very serious injuries. Folsom police are still investigating the cause of the accident.

Social Host Laws

Earlier this year, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a "Social Host Ordinance" that holds adults responsible for hosting, or knowingly providing a venue for gatherings, when they reasonably should have known underage drinking would occur. In California, parents and adults who furnish alcohol to teens can be found liable for injuries caused by drinking and driving accidents. "Social Host" ordinances address the problems of underage drinking facilitated by enabling parents and other adults who are aware of underage alcohol consumption at private residences, but fail to stop it. (See News 10 story " Sacramento County law against underage drinking could land parents in jail.")

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