A car accident in Orange County, which officials say was caused by a driver who made an unsafe lane change, resulted in injuries for a Long Beach police officer. The Orange County Register reports that the injury collision happened the morning of December 15, 2011 on the 91 Freeway near Magnolia Avenue in Buena Park. California Highway Patrol officials say the collision occurred when a Toyota Corolla that was in the carpool lane crossed over the double yellow lines and hit the motorcycle. The officer suffered injuries to his arm and was taken to an area medical center for treatment. It is not clear if the driver will be cited.

I sympathize with the police officer who was injured. I'm relieved to hear that he did not suffer life-threatening injuries. I pray for his swift and full recovery.

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A car accident in Victorville resulted in injuries for a teenager and a toddler, the night of December 13, 2011. The Victorville Daily Press reports that the pedestrian accident happened at the intersection of Desert Knolls Drive and Seventh Street. The 17-year-old girl was pushing a 2-year-old boy in a stroller in a marked crosswalk when a driver making a left turn at the intersection hit them. The driver was identified as a 62-year-old man. He stopped at the scene. The boy suffered a skull fracture while the teenager sustained relatively minor injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

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A car accident in Orange County the night of December 13, 201, which officials say involved a hit-and-run driver, resulted in fatal injuries for a 47-year-old bicyclist. The Orange County Register reports that the fatal crash happened at Serrano Road and Ridge Route in Lake Forest when a white van struck the bicycle and then drove away. The bicyclist succumbed to severe head injuries. Police are looking for the suspect vehicle and its driver. An investigation is ongoing.

My heartfelt sympathies go out to this victim's loved ones. They will be in my prayers during this time of grief and loss.

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A car accident in Costa Mesa resulted in injuries for at least two people, the afternoon of December 12, 2011. The Orange County Register reports that the crash happened on Fairview Road, 100 feet south of Merrimac Way. Officials say three vehicles were involved in this accident, including a pickup truck, an SUV and a station wagon. Two out of three injured victims were taken to an area medical center for treatment of unknown injuries. Officials are still trying to determine what caused this injury collision.

I sympathize with all the injured victims of this car accident. I pray that the victims recover swiftly and fully from whatever injuries they may have sustained.

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A car accident in San Diego involving a suspected drunk driver proved fatal for two people, identified as Celia Torres, 73, and her grandson, David Gonzalez, 16. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the fatal crash happened the night of December 9, 2011 on State Route 125 near Fletcher Hills. Officials say Torres' Nissan Pathfinder was rear-ended by another vehicle driven by 39-year-old Justin Foulds. Officials say he was under the influence at the time. He is facing DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges in connection with this deadly collision.

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A car accident in Escondido resulted in critical injuries for a motorcyclist the morning of December 9, 2011. The North County Times reports that the motorcycle accident happened at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Ash Street. Officials say the motorcycle was westbound on Lincoln when a pickup truck that was turning left on Ash Street struck the cycle. The motorcyclist was severely injured and taken to an area medical center in critical condition. Officials are investigating the cause of this major injury collision.

My heart goes out to this severely injured motorcyclist and his family members for what they are going through at this time. I pray for this victim's quick and full recovery.

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A motorcyclist and his passenger who suffered major injuries in a San Diego car accident the evening of December 7, 2011 were identified as Stuart Lessig and his wife Elizabeth. The husband and wife, both 24, were traveling on South Mission Road in their 2010 Kawasaki motorcycle when they were struck by a Mazda pickup truck that turned left in front of the motorcycle at the intersection of Almond Street. The driver of the pickup, 57-year-old Randall Arnold, was arrested on suspicion of DUI in connection with this incident. Stuart and Elizabeth Lessig suffered serious injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

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A car accident in Newport Beach involving a suspected DUI driver resulted in critical injuries for a 17-year-old Newport Harbor High School student who has been identified as Crystal Morales. The Orange County Register reports that Crystal was walking in a crosswalk adjacent to her school, when she was struck by a Chevy Tahoe that was driven by 38-year-old Marnie J. Lippincott. Crystal was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver, Lippincott, was arrested on suspicion of DUI. An investigation is ongoing.

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A car accident in San Diego resulted in injuries for a 6-year-old boy who was struck while riding his bicycle, the afternoon of December 4, 2011. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the collision occurred at the intersection of L Street and 25th Street in the Sherman Heights area of San Diego. The boy was turning at the street intersection when a Honda Civic hit him. Police say the boy was not helmeted. He sustained head injuries, but is expected to survive. The 40-year-old driver of the Honda has not been cited or arrested pending an official investigation.

My heart goes out to this injured boy. I pray for his swift and full recovery from whatever injuries he has sustained.

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A car accident in Los Angeles involving a hit-and-run driver proved fatal for 39-year-old Christina Lynn Ruvalcaba. City News Service reports that the fatal hit-and-run crash occurred the night of December 4, 2011 near Erwin Street and Vesper Avenue in Van Nuys. Police say a vehicle driven by Alfonso Garnica-Mozgueda, 33, spun out of control and hit Christina Ruvalcaba and her sister, 34-year-old Blanca Ruvalcaba, who were both standing near a 2005 Chevy pickup truck.

Tragic Car Accident

Christina Ruvalcaba sustained fatal injuries while her sister, who was attended to her 7-week-old daughter, suffered moderate injuries. The infant was unharmed. Garnica-Mozgueda fled the scene, but was apprehended by officials in his home shortly afterward. He is facing murder, hit-and-run and other charges.

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