Two toddlers and their mother, Alma Lopez, 19, sustained injuries in a suspected DUI collision the morning of August 31, 2010, The Ventura County Star reports. The brother and sister – ages 1 and 3 – were in a stroller crossing the street in a marked crosswalk on Vineyard Avenue in Oxnard with their mother, when a flatbed tow truck hit them. The children were dragged for a quarter mile until witnesses stopped the truck's driver and freed them. Both children were taken to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries. Lopez sustained moderate injuries. Officials believe the driver of the tow truck, Mehran Khamseh, 45, was under the influence of drugs.

I commend the passers by who stopped the truck. The children may have been fatally injured but for these heroes. I also hope the children were not catastrophically injured and pray for their complete recovery. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.

DUI Statistics

There were seven deaths and 173 injuries involving DUI collisions in Oxnard in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Ventura County as a whole, 27 people died and 475 were injured as a result of alcohol-related car accidents during the same year.

DUI Law

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." California law prohibits the operation of any motor vehicle after the use of recreational or prescription drugs. In this case, the driver, Khamseh, also failed to yield right-of-way to the pedestrians in the crosswalk, which is required under California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states.

Liability Issues

If Khamseh is determined to have been driving under the influence, he could face not only criminal charges, but could also be held civilly liable for the injuries and damages caused. It would be in the best interests of DUI accident victims to seek the counsel of a reputed Ventura personal injury lawyer, who will advise them about their legal rights and options.

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None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.