A car accident in Los Angeles killed one and injured several others after a suspected drunk driver triggered a chain reaction crash in La Puente the night of July 13, 2010. According to a news report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the deadly accident happened close to Stimson and Central avenues, when a driver traveling at a high rate of speed, lost control and initiated the collisions. The driver of the first vehicle struck was pronounced dead and three others in the car sustained moderate to serious injuries. An investigation is ongoing. But police suspect the involvement of alcohol or drugs in this crash.

My heartfelt condolences go out to everyone who knew and loved this victim. Please keep them in your prayers. I also hope the other injured victims recover quickly and completely.

DUI Collisions

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities and 11 injuries involving DUI collisions in La Puente. In Los Angeles County, 258 people died and 4,832 were injured as a result of alcohol-related crashes during the same year.

Drunk Driving Laws

Driving under the influence is a serious crime under California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a).A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges. 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."

An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, will be able to advise victims or their families about their legal rights and options. A knowledgeable injury lawyer will also advise the family of a deceased victim about how their car insurance policy might apply to an incident involving an at-fault driver who is uninsured or underinsured.

For more information about the dangers of drunk driving, please visit MADD's website at www.madd.org.

What are some tips you would offer motorists to watch out for erratic drivers on the roadway? How can we be more proactive about preventing tragic collisions?

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.