California Injury Attorneys Blog » Drug/Alcohol Related

Women Crashes into House Testing Prescription Drugs

mariah — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 22:43:12 +0000

The California Highway Patrol was investigating how big of a factor prescription drugs played into a series of car collisions with a driver who hit two houses, a parked vehicle, and a fire hydrant. The driver was transported to Mercy San Juan Medical Center with minor injuries. She was driving eastbound on Tierra Vista Way when she ran into a house that had just finished being remodeled. Officers say she backed up her vehicle, drove over a fire hydrant (which flooded the street), and crashed into the home one more time before speeding away. She next hit a white Acura parked in front of another house, causing the Acura to fly into the air. Her collision pushed both cars into the house’s garage.

Man Dies and Son Injured in Suspected DUI Motorcycle Crash

mariah — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 01:34:45 +0000

An anonymous man died and his son injured after their motorcycle collided with a car Monday evening on Carlton Road. The California Highway Patrol suspects the driver of the car was intoxicated. Maria Munoz was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. She suffers minor injuries but remains fine. Details on how the accident occurred is being investigated. The motorcycle driver was announced dead declared at the scene, and his son was taken to Watsonville Community Hospital for treatment of his sever injuries. Carlton Road was closed for two hours while the scene was cleared.

Father Kills Child in Crash Under Suspicion of Drugs

mariah — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 01:22:48 +0000

Rudy Fritz, age 45, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and gross vehicular manslaughter Saturday night in North County, San Diego. Him and his 12 year old daughter were thrown out of their vehicle after their Volkswagen Beetle veered into oncoming traffic and collided head to head with a Buick sedan on Highway 76. Fritz’s Volkswagen, more than five decades old, had never been equipped with seat belts. Although Fritz maintains alive, his daughter was killed on the scene. The 64-year-old male and 53-year-old female he hit were taken to Palomar Medical Center to treat their injuries.

Doctor Accused of Drunk Driving Crash On Way to Work

mariah — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:26:54 +0000

Northern California doctor, Charles Igwegbe, was accused of causing injuries in a drunk driving crash on his way to work before his five scheduled procedures. Next month he will be arraigned on two felony counts. His lawyer intends to plead not guilty, however, Igwegbe’s blood alcohol level was .05 above the legal driving limit, giving him a .13. Iqwegbe maintains to protest that he had nothing to drink that morning. He and his lawyer reached a settlement with The California Medical Board putting his license on probation but still allowing him to continue practice. The Medical Board must vote to approve this settlement.

Fatality Accident Reports in California

mariah — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 22:13:57 +0000

3,081 people were killed in traffic accidents across the state of California, a decline of 10% over the past year. Those killed by drunk drivers and motorcyclists make up most of the accidents. California recorded a total of 950 alcohol-impaired fatal accidents in 2009, an 8% decline from the 1,025 accidents recorded in 2008.

Motorcycle fatalities dropped by 30%, and totally traffic fatalities from all sources fell from 3,434 to 3,081 in the past year.

There are many reasons behind fatal accidents, and according to authorities, the economy does matter. Gasoline sales have stayed steady since 2008 after they had dropped by 4% in 2007. Motorcycle registrations have dropped nearly 2%.

To prevent the fatalities, automobiles have been made safer and stronger, DUI enforcement has stepped up, and public awareness programs such as DUI checkpoints and the Report Drunk Drivers – call 911 campaign have all been proven affective.

More than 300,000 riders have been trained through motorcycle training programs and safety campaigns run by the California Highway Patrol since 2005.

Four teenagers hurt in alcohol related crash.

jamie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:26:11 +0000

Jordan Smith, 18, was driving a 2001 Hyundai Tiburon west on 272^nd Avenue around 2:40 am Tuesday morning. Also in the car were three other teenagers, Anthony Zimmer, Ethan Hoiland, also 18, and Will Nelson, 19. Smith approached a T-intersection at 480^th Street at a high rate of speed, and his brakes locked up. Unable to stop the vehicle, the car ran off the road and flew 72 feet before hitting an embankment. The three 18 year old boys were all hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, while the fourth passenger, a 19 year old, suffered only minor injuries. After the collision, Zimmer was able to call his parents, who then called 911. Smith will be charged with vehicular battery, and driving under the influence.

Medical Examiner fired for showing up drunk

jamie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:30:14 +0000

In Kingston, NY, County Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Sheran was fired after apparently showing up drunk to the scene of a fatal accident on Sunday. Ulster County Executive Michael Hein will not tolerate driving drunk, and as a county executive takes the subject extremely seriously. The NY State Police charged Dr. Sheran with aggravated DWI.

Robert Ryan, 48 of Ellenville, was walking on the paved portion of Route 209 just before 7 PM on Sunday and was struck and killed by a southbound Dodge pickup truck. No charges were filed against the driver, a 28 year old Wurtsboro resident. Ryan was pronounced dead at the scene by Dr. Sheran