A DUI collision in Santa Maria resulted in injuries for a police officer the night of July 13, 2010. The Santa Maria Times reports that 53-year-old Robert Thomas Kelly Jr. drove past a stop sign and struck Santa Maria Police Officer Jeff Lopez's patrol car at the intersection of Morrison Avenue and Pine Street. Lopez sustained head injuries, but he is expected to survive.

I hope Lopez has not sustained any catastrophic injuries. I pray that he recovers quickly and fully. Please keep this police officer in your prayers.

DUI Statistics

There were four fatalities and 62 injuries involving alcohol-related car accidents in Santa Maria in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's traffic accident statistics. In Santa Barbara County, 19 people died and 287 were injured as a result of DUI collisions during the same year.

Laws and Liability Issues

It is illegal under California law to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. In this particular case, officials say Kelly also ran a stop sign at the intersection.

California law requires drivers to come to a complete stop at a stop sign and proceed with caution. According to California Vehicle Code section 21802 (a): "The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop as required by Section 22450. The driver shall then yield the right-of-way to any vehicles which have approached from another highway, or which are approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to those vehicles until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety."

It would be in the best interests of injured victims in such cases to consult a reputed

California personal injury lawyer, who has an excellent track record financially pursuing drunk drivers. An experienced car accident lawyer will also advise victims about how their own car insurance policy applies to an incident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver.

What are some of your concerns about other drivers when you are operating a vehicle or walking on the roadway?

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.