The dangers of drinking and driving are well documented. Regardless, there are still drivers around the country and here in California who get behind the wheel of a car after they have been drinking. Authorities say that a recent single car accident was caused by an underaged drunk driver.
The 20-year-old driver lost control of the car he was driving, and it slammed into a fence and then a utility pole. There were four other people in the vehicle at the time of the crash. One of them, a 23-year-old man, was fatally injured and died at the scene. The other three suffered injuries that ranged from minor to critical. Emergency responders transported them to area hospitals.
There was no report on whether the driver was injured, but police believe he was impaired. They also believe he was speeding. He was arrested and was being held on bail of $100,000 for gross vehicular manslaughter, DUI under 21 and felony DUI.
The combination of alcohol and speed often has serious, if not fatal, consequences. This young California man is finding out the hard way that there is good reason not to drink and drive. He is facing not only criminal proceedings. The family of the deceased passenger and the injured passengers may elect to file civil actions against him — as well as any separate owner of the vehicle involved in the tragedy — to seek financial redress for the damages each incurred. If it is proved that the driver was negligent, the court will then consider the specific damages requested by each party in connection with this single car accident.
Source: CBS Los Angeles, Santa Ana Man Arrested For DUI, Manslaughter After Fatal Crash, No author, Nov. 21, 2013
ES