A man died Monday afternoon in a suspected DUI crash on Interstate 8 in the Flinn Springs area of San Diego County, 10 News reported. The victim, who was not immediately identified, was the driver of a Ford Econoline van that was struck head-on by a 1995 Ford Explorer driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of the freeway. The fatal accident occurred shortly before 3:30 p.m. near Harbison Canyon Road. According to news reports, the driver of the Ford Explorer made a U-turn on the freeway and began driving the wrong way. The collision with the Econoline van happened moments later. The driver of the Econoline van was killed. The female driver of the Ford Explorer suffered serious injuries. According to the California Highway Patrol, she was suspected of driving while intoxicated and will undergo a blood screening to determine if drugs or alcohol were in her system at the time of the collision.
Drunk Driving Is An Epidemic That Must Stop
While this accident is devastating and tragic, it is sadly one of many accidents that happen every day caused by a suspected drunk driver. On average, 32 people a day are killed in drunk driving accidents in the US - more than 1,000 people every month. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reports that one in three people will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime. Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol is a crime - and drunk driving accidents are physically painful, emotionally traumatic, and financially devastating. The consequences of drinking and driving are long-lasting not just for victims, but for their families as well.
DUI Accident Wrongful Death Liability
In accidents such as this one, where a drunk driver is suspected of causing a fatal accident, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak to a DUI accident victim lawyer about their legal rights to hold the driver financially accountable for her actions. If the suspected drunk driver is confirmed to have caused this accident, she may be liable for funeral and burial expenses, anticipated future earnings and benefits the victim would have received over the course of his lifetime, and damages for loss of love, care, affection, and companionship in a wrongful death claim. In certain cases involving drunk drivers, punitive damages may also be awarded, depending on the circumstances.
Sources: San Diego 6, 10 News
Thank you so much for the post. I feel intensely for the victims family. I am a very close friend of the women suspected of drunk driving. We are all grieving. In the hopital she just kept repeating "I've killed someone." I know this will be the most difficult thing for her to live with.
From the information I found, she was not drunk but in fact, attempting to commit suicide. I was told she had swallowed four bottles of sleeping pills.
She didn't tell me she was on drugs when she asked me to take her to the emergency room. I offered to pick her up and she declined. I saw the wreck from my house...she was U-turning to get to my house....
I am very devasted at the life lost and at the one that will never be the same. Please keep everyone involved in your prayers, as will I.