A 35-year-old woman identified as Cydil Kohlmeyer was killed in a San Diego car accident after she was hit by a driver who officials say, was under the influence of alcohol. The fatal pedestrian accident occurred in the 1200 block of Pepper Drive the night of November 21, 2009 when a Dodge pickup truck driven by 51-year-old Deborah Felix veered off the street and struck Kohlmeyer.

The Dodge then went completely out of control plowing through several objects before crashing into a house. Felix attempted to flee the scene on foot, but was stopped and detained by neighbors who heard the crash. Felix has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and felony vehicular manslaughter. Kohlmeyer apparently died during surgery in an area hospital

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Cydil Kohlmeyer. Please keep this grieving family in your prayers.

San Diego Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents in San Diego accounted for seven deaths and 79 injuries in San Diego in 2007, according to CHP's traffic accident statistics. In San Diego County as a whole, 51 deaths and 1,068 injuries were reported in 2007, as a result of pedestrian accidents. Also in the county, 116 deaths and 2,068 injuries were attributed to DUI car accidents in 2007.

It is illegal in California to drink and drive. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle."

Serious Consequences for Driving Violations

A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges, as Felix does in this case. California Penal Code section 191.5 (a) states: "Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence."

I trust Felix will also be charged with hit-and-run for trying to flee the scene of the crash. Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime in California. If I were a member of Kohlmeyer's family, I would be talking to a reputed San Diego personal injury lawyer who has an excellent track record holding negligent and drunk drivers responsible for their actions. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise Kohlmeyer's family about how their car insurance policy will apply to an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.