The driver of an Infiniti G35 was arrested Sunday night after rear-ending a Volkswagen Passat at the intersection of Genessee Avenue and Torrey Pines Road. According to reports from police, the VW was driving south on N. Torrey Pines Road and slowing at the intersection when the Infiniti rear-ended it "like a bullet." The impact ruptured the gas tank on the Passat and both vehicles erupted in flames. A witness to the crash broke the windows of the Infiniti and was able to rescue the driver and passenger. He was unable to rescue the driver of the Passat, Jared Franklin Purton, 33, of Pacific Beach. According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office, Purton held a doctorate and was employed at the Scripps Research Institute.
Michael Landri, 30, the driver of the Infiniti, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and booked into county jail, where he was held on $160,000 bail. Landri and his passenger were reportedly coming home from a company Christmas party. The accident is the third suspected alcohol-related fatality this weekend in San Diego County. Two teenagers were killed in separate crashes early Saturday in North County.
The family of the man killed in this Torrey Pines accident would be wise to speak with an attorney about this tragic, preventable accident. In addition to criminal charges, the family may also bring a civil claim for wrongful death against the driver and possibly other parties as well, including the provider of the alcohol at the holiday party. For more information about wrongful death claims from alcohol-related accidents, contact the San Diego personal injury attorneys at Estey & Bomberger or another reputable law firm.
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