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.

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.

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.