A California car accident that resulted in the death of a motorcyclist on February 14 may have involved alcohol and drugs. California Highway Patrol officers arrested a 22-year-old Redwood City man in connection with the accident, which occurred in San Mateo County.
The accident happened just before 3 p.m. on Highway 84 near La Honda. Police said that the 22-year-old man was traveling on the highway near Sylvan Way when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving, a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The car crossed the center lines of the highway and headed into the westbound lane, where it entered the path of a 2002 Honda motorcycle driven by a 40-year-old San Mateo man. The force of the impact threw the 40-year-old from his motorcycle.
Police said that the motorcyclist died at the scene of the crash. The 22-year-old man and the two other occupants of the Impala suffered no injuries in the accident, although paramedics took one of the passengers, a 17-year-old boy, to Stanford Medical Center to ensure he was uninjured. The 22-year-old man was also evaluated at a hospital before police took him into custody. Police said that they believed he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. They indicated that he may also have used drugs. Officers charged him with felony counts of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter.
People who cause fatal car accidents after driving drunk often face criminal charges for their accidents. However, this does not provide any compensation to the family members of the deceased victim. Personal injury attorneys can determine whether a wrongful death civil action would be an appropriate course to take in such a situation.
Source: Belmont Patch, “Redwood City Man Accused of DUI in Fatal Highway 84 Crash”, Renee Schiavone, Feb. 16, 2015
