Friday, December 17, 2010

Missing Child Found in Hotel Pool

Every child’s safety should never be taken for granted especially because their curiosity and playful nature can easily get them into accidents.

Guardians must always make sure that children are safe and supervised.

In a recent accident, an 18-month-old boy who was reported missing while they were in a San Francisco hotel was found in a fountain pool.

According to reports, the boy was last seen at the lobby of Hyatt Regency Hotel before he was reported missing by his guardians. As officers arrived, they found the boy around 1:30 pm in the hotel’s decorative fountain pool.

Rescuers tried to revive the boy until the paramedics arrived. He was taken to a hospital but his condition wasn’t immediately released.

Hopefully, the boy will have a quick recovery from this accident though it is very likely that he sustained physical injuries and other conditions he may have to endure throughout his life. His condition would have certainly worsen and he could have died had rescuers found him a little later.

Aside from this, it is very likely that the boy will be traumatized by this incident at his very young age.

So, parents must be cautious in letting kids play near pools. If they allow them to play in these areas, then, they should be supervised and accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

The hotel, on the other hand, should have been more responsible in securing the safety of their guests by installing railings and placing restrictive cordon around areas that shouldn’t be accessed by guests, especially children.

Friday, October 15, 2010

In Search of Clean Water

It is believed that water is one of the few life-sustaining elements in the entire solar system, and it is only found in high volumes here on Earth. For billions of years, nature has depended on water in order to flourish and develop. But then, man appeared and became the dominant force that would shape the world, and indeed he did. In just several thousand years, he drastically changed the face of the Earth, exploiting all its natural resources and tainting the once pure source of life. Now we are beginning to realize that the search for clean water has begun.

In every successful and industrialized city is a river, sea, or lake behind it. World-renowned cities like New York, Tokyo, and London could not have developed into large, bustling cities if not for the help of their adjacent sources of water.

It is just natural to depend on water as a source of food, an area for trade, and a means of travel. What makes everything wrong is when water becomes both the starting and end point of industrialization. Once all the available clean water within an area is exhausted, there is no way to replace it. You cannot suck in all the filthy water in the sea and refill it with clean water, unless you are a god.

In locations where getting clean water is impossible, people just satisfy themselves drinking unsafe water, hoping their bodies are strong enough to fight the disease-causing microbes in it. While adults usually emerge victorious over their microscopic foes, children do not, which results to thousands of deaths.

Unfortunately, six out of ten individuals just wouldn’t care if told this fact, and three will just shake their heads and return to whatever it is they’re doing. Only one may take a step to solve the problem, that is, if he is not part of the second group.

Water is not just a necessity. It is life itself. Numerous cities around the world are already experiencing shortages of clean and potable water as a result of our own ways. But there are still things we can do to reduce the damage. We just have to be aware of what is going on. If we do not act now, more people will perish from this Earth. Eventually, its description as “the only planet in the solar system that has life” may become a myth.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Authorities in Search of Driver Involved in Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident

Authorities are looking for the driver who fled after his van, which was carrying field employees, rolled over in unincorporated Sonoma County. The hit and run accident left one dead and three others injured.

According to reports, the Chevrolet Astro the man was driving went over an embankment located along Guerneville Road.

Police said three vehicle passengers who were identified as Ignacio Hernandez-Rubio, 17, Nahum Avendano, 26, Domingo Layata-Mendez, 34, all from Santa Rosa, sustained non-life threatening injuries in the incident.

The teen was brought to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Santa Rosa to receive medical treatment for his broken leg. Meanwhile, the two men were rushed to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital to be treated for lacerations and head injuries.

A male occupant was not as lucky as them. He reportedly died when he was ejected from the vehicle, which rolled over numerous times.

The man was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident. His name is being withheld pending family notification.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Woman Dies in Second SoCal Train Crash

A woman died at the scene of a Metrolink train crash in Covina hours after a man was also hit and killed by a freight train in Oceanside early Wednesday morning.

The woman was yet to be identified but it is said that she was trespassing the property and was on a restricted area when she was hit by the train carrying more than a hundred passengers. No one else was reportedly injured in the accident.

The Metrolink train was heading to the Union Station in Los Angeles from San Bernardino. The passengers were eventually transported by bus as the train blocked Covina’s intersection of Glendora and Glenn avenues. The train services continued a few hours after the accident.

Pedestrians should be cautious when crossing train tracks and should never go to restricted areas where their presence is not expected.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Woman Killed in Rollover and Multi-Vehicle Crash

On state Route 125 in San Diego, a 25-year-old woman was killed and two other motorists were injured in a multi-vehicle crash.

The accident happened at about 8:40 AM. It occurred when the female driver suddenly lost control of her Ford Explorer causing her to cross the center divide and meet the oncoming freeway traffic head-on.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the woman’s SUV flipped and landed right on top of a silver Chrysler PT Cruiser, rolled over and collided with a Border Patrol Jeep Wrangler.

The driver of the PT Cruiser, a 48-year old woman had to be airlifted from the scene due to her injuries. An on-duty agent was driving the marked jeep and was taken to Mercy Hospital for further treatment.

The driver of the Ford Explorer SUV however, died at the scene. According to the CHP, preliminary investigation shows that there was no evidence that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the fatal crash.

Driver Error or behavior is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents. While generally, people often pin the blame on the road conditions, a car defect or even on the other driver for having caused the crash, the truth is, most car accidents are caused by the driver’s own negligence.

Even if the driver is driving sober and free from the influence of either drugs or alcohol, if he is distracted (texting while driving, putting on make-up, etc.) or drowsy or even just because he is speeding, he may be considered negligent.

When the driver also fails to follow traffic rules and signals, fails to yield, and operates his vehicle recklessly or aggressively, he would likely be held responsible for having caused an accident or collision.

Accidents don’t just happen as an “act of God” – most are often caused by the fault or negligence of people.

If you are injured in a car accident or if you lost someone to a crash, you have the right to recover damages for any expenses or loss you suffered because of it. But don’t expect to get compensation so easily, a lot of defendants (even if they are negligent) would refuse to acknowledge their fault so it would be advisable for you to hire a car accident attorney if you wish to pursue your claim.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Bus Driver Reported Drunk by Passenger, Arrested

Drivers and operators of bus companies should make sure that passengers will be taken to their destination safely as they will be shouldered with heavier penalty for any accident that they may cause.

A 40-year-old bus driver was recently arrested after a passenger reported him to the Sheriff’s Department on suspicions of drunk driving near Calle Magdalena.

The bus was reportedly heading east on Encinitas Boulevard at about 4:30 pm when the passenger made the call to the department that may have saved them from an accident caused by intoxication.

Responding deputies reported that the man was showing signs of being intoxicated and that he driver was arrested after a field sobriety test has been conducted.

Drivers should never put themselves and their passengers at risk by driving while drunk. The bus driver should have never underestimated his responsibility to the company and to the passengers that he is to transport.

Friday, May 14, 2010

7-Year-Old Girl Sustains Critical Injuries in Dana Point Hit-and-Run Accident

It is advisable for drivers to reduce speed when they are traveling near schools or residential areas because kids are usually found along these areas. A driver who may have failed to do so hit a 7-year-old girl in Dana Point and fled after the incident.

According to reports, the victim sustained critical injuries after she was hit by a white pickup truck with a blue stripe in front of her house along La Paz Avenue and Silver Lantern Street.

The girl’s 6-year-old friend saw the whole incident and immediately called the victim’s older sister, who then asked the help of her father.

Reports said the girl was first brought to Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach. However, the injuries she sustained were too severe to be treated there so she was then transported to Children’s Hospital in Mission Viejo.

According to police, the girl is now under a guarded condition.

Authorities are still trying to locate the whereabouts of the hit-and-run driver.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Woman Arrested after Crash in I-5

Motorists should never jeopardize their safety by driving around under the influence of drugs or alcohol as it is known to impair their judgment and cause accidents that may harm others on the road.

A female driver was taken into custody after an early Thursday morning crash that involved a big rig near Highway 50.

The woman, who was not immediately identified, was said to have crashed the red Ford Focus she was driving into the yellow barrels placed along Interstate 5 at about 3:30 am.

The impact of the vehicle into the barrels sent it spinning around before hitting a big rig. The woman told authorities that she had fallen asleep while driving but she was still arrested after submitting to a breathalyzer test.

Injuries of the rig driver and the woman were not reported immediately though it is very possible that they’ve sustained injuries in the said accident.

It is always best to think before driving and never attempt o drive if you know that you are not in the capacity to make good judgments, be alert, and keep your eyes on the road.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Teen Dies, Another Injured in Hit-and-Run Accident

Motorists should be careful when driving within residential areas, especially late at night when the darkness and poor visibility make it difficult for them to notice pedestrians walking along or crossing the streets.

A 16-year-old girl, identified as Chanel Lenard, died while her friend was brought to St. Francis Medical Center to be treated for serious injuries after they were hit by a gray minivan along 154th Street recently.

The two teenage girls were apparently walking home past midnight after attending a party when they were hit by the van driven by 22-year-old Compton man Juan Garay who failed a sobriety test when apprehended a few blocks from the accident scene.

Authorities booked Garay on suspicion of drunk driving and felony hit-and run.

The lost of a young life could have been prevented if only the driver was wise enough not to drink and drive and assisted the victims who needed immediate medical care.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Young Women Die in Crash Caused by Speeding and Intoxication

Young drivers often get involved in fatal accidents because of their inexperience and aggressiveness.

Three young women recently died when their vehicle was hit by a wrong-way driver along Weedpatch Highway around midnight. The 19-year-old negligent driver, identified as Leonel Nunez Jr., was said to be speeding and was found to be intoxicated at the time of the crash.

Nunez was said to be driving a 2000 Pontiac Trans Am on the southbound lane with 20-year-old Ricardo Parra and 18-year-old Vincent Alvarez when he suddenly shifted to the northbound lanes where the women’s vehicle was attempting to turn from Reynolds Avenue.

The driver of the 1997 Plymouth Breeze was identified as 20-year-old Esmeralda Soriano. Soriano was with Marilupe Madrigal, 18, and 17-year-old Giselle Madrid at the time of the accident. The three young women died on the scene.

Nunez sustained only a cut on his arm while his passengers sustained minor injuries. He was arrested and may possibly face two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing injury as well as three felony counts of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Lake Elsinore Councilman Admits Guilt in DUI Charges

All drivers and motorists are required to follow traffic rules. Those who choose to ignore their responsibility will receive a punishment that corresponds to the graveness of the offense that they committed.

In fact, a Lake Elsinore councilman was recently sentenced to three years of probation and six days in custody after he pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor DUI.

Reports stated that Thomas Buckley, 44, was pulled over by the authorities in November after they noticed that his vehicle does not have a front license plate.

It was determined later on that the he had a blood-alcohol level of .08.

According to Buckley’s attorney, the councilman will likely serve his six days of custody in a work release program.

Reports said Buckley was also required to join a first-time drinking driver program and pay a fine amounting to $1,582.

People in high positions should set a good example and avoid doing negligent actions that other people may follow. Drivers will continue to disobey traffic rules if the people whom they look up to also disregard them.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

ATV Accident Seriously Injures Motorist

All-terrain vehicle riders should be aware of their driving restrictions and the different traffic laws that prevent them from travelling on roads where they may cause accidents because of the speed and ability of their vehicle.

A recent accident involves a woman who sustained major injuries to the head and upper body after being thrown from her ATV on Highway 20 in Williams.

The 21-year-old Mariel Cervantes was reportedly riding her ATV with a trailer in tow when she tried to make a left turn when she was hit by a 2002 Dodge Durango that was trying to pass the slow-moving ATV.

Cervantes was broadsided and thrown off the ATV. She probably sustained major injuries as she wasn’t wearing protective gears such as helmet or pads when the accident occurred.

These protective equipments are important to riders as they help save the riders life by minimizing possible injuries that can be sustained.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Blown Tire Causes Four-Vehicle Accident in Pasadena

Drivers are expected to maintain the good condition of their tires and check if they are already worn out because failure to do so can suddenly result to a tragic road accident.

In fact, a big rig with a blown tire had apparently caused injury to three people when it triggered a four-vehicle accident along the Foothill (210) Freeway in Pasadena.

According to reports, two people sustained serious injuries while another one is now under a critical condition. All of them were brought to a hospital to receive treatment for their injuries.

Police said two drivers needed to be extricated from two different vehicles, which include one that rolled over.

All westbound lanes were closed by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for hours after the incident.

Avoiding accidents caused by blown tires requires little effort from drivers. They should always remember their obligation of checking the condition of their tires not only for their own sake, but for the safety of all road users.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Man Struck and Killed by Car While Fleeing from Robbery

All road users, including pedestrians, are required to follow traffic laws and avoid any kind of distraction that can result to road accidents. However, some distractions may be unavoidable and can suddenly end an innocent person’s life.

This is exactly what happened to a male teenager who was struck and killed in Canoga Park after failing to see an approaching car because he was focused on fleeing from a “would-be robber.”

According to reports, authorities found Miguel Alvarenga, 18, unconscious along the 20600 block of Sherman Way.

Investigators said a bicyclist approached the teen and tried to rob him.

Alvarenga was hit by a vehicle while he was running into the street, away from the bicyclist. He was brought to a local hospital where he was announced dead after a day because of his injuries, said reports.

Authorities are still trying to locate the whereabouts of the bicyclist and are asking for public assistance in accomplishing this goal.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Metrolink Crash Resistant Train Cars Arrives

Finally, the first two crash resistant train cars have arrived and will be replacing the older models used by Metrolink.

Metrolink is still reeling from the massive Chatsworth train accident that resulted in 25 deaths and millions of dollars in settlement.

The new train cars are in line with the series of actions being taken by Metrolink to improve passenger safety.

The new cars use “crush zone” technology to absorb the impact of the collision.
It will go a long way in reducing the injuries that may be sustained in case of a train crash.

Other measures taken by Metrolink include the placement of video cameras to monitor train and employee activities.

Chatsworth was allegedly caused by a train engineer who did not notice a red signal because he was texting.

One of the leading causes of train accidents is negligence. It could be operator error like that of Chatsworth or just the simple lack of warning signs and safety measures in their railroad crossing.

Hopefully, Metrolink will address all these safety concerns and not just the issue of reducing the impact during a collision.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Authorities Request Public Assistance in Locating Simi Valley Hit-and-Run Driver

Many drivers who were involved in an accident try to flee an accident area despite knowing that running away from the scene is illegal.

Another driver who fled after hitting a man in the parking lot of Taco Bell located along Tapo St. in Simi Valley is now being searched by the authorities.

According to reports, a Mercedes dragged a 50-year old man who was holding the driver door. The victim released it after several feet and landed on a pavement.

The Mercedes driver then backed up and hit him with the vehicle’s rear end before fleeing the accident area.

Reports said the victim was brought to Simi Valley Hospital to receive treatment for cuts along his right arm and a bump on his head. He was released after being treated.

Authorities are now looking for the hit-and run driver’s vehicle that is probably a 2006 or 2007 model of a black or dark colored four-door Mercedes Sedan with a shattered taillight.

The driver was described as a Middle Eastern or Hispanic man who is around 25-years-old.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

El Sereno Head-On Collision Kills One and Injures Another

A head-on collision in El Sereno killed one motorist and injured another the other night.

According to the LAPD’s Central Traffic Division, the 2-vehicle crash happened on Eastern Avenue, 100 yards north of Klamath Place and just south of Huntington Drive.

The police did not specify the details of the car accident so we do not know the cause of the crash.

What we do know is that one of the drivers involved died at the scene while the other sustained minor abrasions and was brought to a nearby hospital.

The important information that needs to be figured out is who between the 2 drivers drifted to the other’s lane.

With modern traffic implementing the two-direction system (southbound and northbound, westbound and eastbound) the occurrence of head-on collisions has been greatly decreased.

However because of reckless and impatient drivers, this type of accident still occurs.

According to studies, the impact of a head on collision between two cars moving at 50 mph is approximately equal to the impact of a car hitting a wall at 100 mph.

That is how dangerous it is.

Whoever drifted to the lane of the other driver can be charged both civilly and criminally.

So even if you are stuck in traffic, resist the temptation of going to the other lane.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Two People Hospitalized after Two-Car Collision

A collision is a type of road accident that often results to injuries because of the tremendous impact between moving vehicles.

At least two people were brought to Community Regional Center after being injured in a two-car collision along Grantland and Shaw avenues in west of Fresno.

According to reports, the accident caused Shaw’s eastbound lanes to be partly blocked.

The extent of the sustained injuries was not immediately available.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the collision.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

2 Pedestrian Accidents Involving Government Vehicles Killed One and Seriously Injures Another

In a bizarre turn of events, two separate pedestrian accidents involving government vehicles killed one and seriously injured another at almost the same time in San Francisco.

The first vehicle accident happened in Ocean Avenue at about 1:40 pm when a water department truck struck a woman who was crossing the street.

The woman was pronounced dead on the scene.

Police are trying to find out if the woman was on a crosswalk when she was struck and why the truck was not able to see her.

The driver of the truck had worked for the city for 23 years.

At almost the same time, a second incident happened in San Bruno Avenue when a Muni Bus struck a woman who was also crossing the street.

There are no stoplights or stop signs in San Bruno but there were crosswalks for pedestrians.

The woman was hit on the right side and was thrown about 15 feet.

A witness called 911 and emergency personnel responded to the scene.

The injuries of the woman was said to be life-threatening.

Both drivers will be tested for alcohol and drugs as part of procedures involving these kinds of incidents.

The family of the first victim and the woman in the second accident could file a wrongful death and a personal injury suit against the city.

The city has a duty to take reasonable measures to keep its citizens from harm.

The claimants could argue that the drivers were not exercising the highest level of care and that the city has neglected some of its roads by failing to put adequate stop signs or stop lights.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Irvine City Blamed in Fatal Collision

Lack of road signs can cause drivers to be technically “blind” because it prevents them from seeing possible dangers they might face on the roads.

This stands as the primary reason why the family members of a motorcyclist killed in an accident last July have filed a $10 million wrongful death claim against Irvine city, alleging that inadequate road signs along a public roadway had resulted to the death of their loved one.

The absence of road warnings or signage on Walnut Avenue allegedly resulted to a deadly accident involving David Dietrich, a Mercedes-Benz driver who made an illegal left-turn in front of 23-year-old Michael Edwards.

It was reported that Edwards was driving a motorcycle along the opposite side of the road when the accident happened. He collided with the Mercedes after failing to stop his motorcycle on time, and was announced dead at the area.

The claim stated that at the time of the incident, drivers moving westbound may not have clearly understood that they are prohibited from making a proper left-hand turn going to Wisteria because of insufficient signage.

Dietrich pleaded guilty to the charges of failure to obey traffic signs and vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

San Diego Pedestrian Injured in Accident

A pedestrian accident in San Diego recently resulted to serious injuries after an intoxicated pedestrian reportedly stepped right into the path of oncoming traffic.

Reports indicate that the pedestrian was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol when he emerged between two parked vehicles and got directly into the path of a Jaguar driven by an unidentified man near Euclid Avenue recently.

The pedestrian remains to be in critical condition after sustaining head injuries in the accident that occurred in Federal boulevard.

Drinking while on the road has proven to be fatal to pedestrians and motorists who are not able to exercise their good judgment in situations that confront them because of the negative effects of alcohol in their system.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Car Tossed into a Tree when Tornado Hit Ventura

Comprehensive car insurance coverage will shoulder all repair costs or it may replace the policyholder’s vehicle and properties inside it if they were lost or damaged due to different factors like flood, fires, and tornados, among others.

This insurance coverage may be useful for the owner of a vehicle that was lifted into a tree in Ventura County.

The National Weather Service (NWS) stated that the damage left in the area was brought by a tornado. NWS also said that the tornado “was the smallest category class.”

Aside from lifting the car, the tornado also hurled a fence into a pool, downed power lines, and caused some shingles to be ripped off the rooftops.

Vehicle owners should anticipate the danger they may face and the accidents they may be involved in when availing car accident insurance coverage. By doing this, they will be provided with financial help if an accident happens or if their vehicle was destroyed by natural or other forces.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Chrysler Announces Product Recall Due to Break Failure

About 24,177 vehicles will be affected by the product recall of Chrysler.

According to the bulletin posted by the NHTSA, the product recall was made due to reports of brake failure.

The bulletin said that the vehicles affected may have been produced with an improperly formed or missing brake booster input rod retaining clip.

NHTSA added that the safety defect may cause brake failure without warning that could lead to a car accident.

The following models are affected:

• Chrysler Sebring, 2010
• Dodge Avenger, 2010
• Dodge Nitro, 2010
• Dodge RAM , 2009-2010
• Jeep Commander, 2010
• Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2010
• Jeep Liberty, 2010.

For more information about the recall, you can call Chrysler at 800-853 or NHTSA at 888-327-4236

If you have been injured due to the said safety defect, you should also consult a product liability attorney to know your legal options.

Hollywood Crash Ended Police Chase

An 18-minute chase ended up in a vehicle collision after a man hit another car at a Koreatown intersection recently.

Authorities say that the chase begun when the man allegedly pulled out a gun on police officers who were riding on an unmarked vehicle.

No one was reported with serious injuries though the speeding vehicle ran red lights and drove on the sidewalks which could have easily resulted to a pedestrian accident wherein he will also be accountable for.

Officials say he may be booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon against a police officer.

Aside from this charge, he should face other traffic-related charges for endangering the lives of pedestrians and other motorists in the area by being a negligent driver.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Eleven-Year-Old Boy Causes Fatal Tulare Crash

Only persons aged 16-years-old and above are permitted by law to operate a vehicle. An age requirement was imposed because younger persons are presumed as incapable of driving properly and responsibly and they may endanger the lives of many in the event of an accident.

True enough, an 11-year-old driver caused an accident in Tulare County that ended the lives of three people, including his own, and injured another.

According to authorities, Jose Silva was driving a 1993 Honda eastbound on Avenue 168 and ran a stop sign along Road 152. The Honda, which was carrying four occupants, all from Woodville, was then hit broadside by a 1999 Ford headed southbound.

The Ford driver who was identified as Charles Seguin, 44, from Porterville, sustained minor injuries and received treatment at the accident area. Meanwhile, Froylon Gonzales, 34, one of the Honda’s passengers, sustained life-threatening injuries and was brought to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno.

Jose, his 6-year-old sister named Elizabeth, and his mother Maria were all killed in the incident.

Parents should not let their children drive because young ones are not yet aware of what their actions can cause. In addition, children are not yet physically and mentally ready to handle the pressures that they may face while out on the roads.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Motorcyclist Dies in Crash

A motorcycle accident recently killed a rider in San Diego after he lost control of his vehicle and hit an oncoming westbound Honda Accord.

The 49-year-old Virgil Frank Garrett apparently lost control of his motorcycle on a curve before swerving in front of the Accord driven by the 23-year-old motorist.

Garrett died before rescuers were able to transport him to a hospital.

The recent vehicle collision proves how difficult it is to maneuver motorcycles and so riders should be extra cautious and manage the speed of their vehicle.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Police in Search of Lakeside Hit-and-Run Driver

Although the law prohibits drivers from leaving the scene of an accident, many drivers still try to escape to avoid liability by running away especially if the incident had resulted in injury or death to another.

This is what happened in the case of a 63-year-old woman who was critically injured in a hit-and-run incident in Lakeside.

According to authorities, the woman was hit while she was crossing Old Highway 80, east of Los Coches Road.

She sustained severe head injury and broken legs.

The vehicle was described by witnesses as a dark-colored Ford Expedition.

The woman’s family will have trouble recovering damages because the unidentified driver fled the area without assisting the victim. Because of this, the driver may face graver punishments once caught as escaping has only worsened the offense he had committed.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Drunk Driver Ran Away in Fatal Crash

A multiple car crash in Santa Ana has taken the life of an 18-year-old Anaheim woman who was riding on a vehicle hit by a drunk driver who fled the scene after the accident.

The 36-year-old Robert Charles Serrano was later arrested at a relative’s house while the teen, Corbin White, died at a hospital a day later after the crash.

Reports indicate that after leaving a bar, Serrano hit a Toyota Scion, where White was a passenger, which was stopped by the traffic light. The impact caused the Scion to hit a Chevrolet Malibu that was making a turn to the southbound lanes of Main. The BMW driven by Serrano then spun and hit the vehicle at the back of the Malibu.

The driver of the Scion, including White were both taken to the hospital to be treated for serious injuries. The other two drivers were unharmed while Serrano was apparently well enough to flee the scene on foot.

Serrano is detained and faces felony charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and fleeing an accident scene.

A young life is once again senselessly taken away because of the negligence of a drunk driver who doesn’t care enough to just take a cab home after drinking so as not to endanger other motorists.