A 26-year-old Fairfield man was tragically killed early Saturday morning in a crash on Interstate 80, according to the Vacaville Reporter. The victim, Joshua Murril, 26, was a front-seat passenger in a 2001 Toyota Camry driven by Nathan Martorelli, 26, also of Fairfield. Also in the vehicle was Samantha Goeringer, 22, also of Fairfield. The three were travelling on westbound Interstate 80 in Vacaville shortly before 2 a.m. when Martorelli allowed the vehicle to drift of the roadway and strike a tree. The accident occurred near the beginning of the guardrail to the east of the Mason Street undercrossing.
Murril, Goeringer, and Martorelli all suffered major injuries in the crash, but Murril was unconscious when emergency responders arrived at the scene. Both Martorelli and Murril were pinned inside the vehicle and had to be extricated by Vacaville firefighters. Murril was flown to University of California, Davis, Medical Center, where he later died. Martorelli was flown to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, and Goeringer was taken by ambulance to UC Davis Medical Center.
Cause of the Interstate 80 Accident
If news reports are accurate, this Solano County accident was likely caused by the suspected drunk driver of the Toyota Camry, Nathan Martorelli, who was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter. However, the cause of the October 16th Interstate 80 accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Alcohol-impaired driving crashes destroy lives and families. Accidents caused by drunk drivers are senseless tragedies that are 100% preventable. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), alcohol-impaired driving is the most commonly committed violent crime in the United States. On average, someone is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Joshua Murril, and everyone who knew him and loved him.
Driver Liability for DUI Passenger Injuries and Deaths
When a driver makes the decision to drink and drive and causes a crash that results in serious injury and death to his passengers, he may be financially liable for his actions, in addition to criminal charges for drunken driving. While this accident remains under investigation, the family members of the two victims of this crash would be well-advised to consult with a California DUI accident victim lawyer. An attorney who is experienced and knowledgeable in the unique legal issues of DUI passenger injuries and DUI passenger deaths can help the victims understand and protect their rights to hold the at-fault driver (and any other parties who may have contributed to this accident) financially accountable for this accident. Although no amount of compensation from a personal injury or wrongful death claim could ever make the pain of an injury or the sadness of a life taken far too soon every go away, compensation can ease the financial burdens of an accident and hold the driver financially accountable.
Sources: The Reporter; MADD - Drunk Driving in America.
Nathan Martorelli, my roommate at the time of this accident, had no respect for others in his car or on the road. the Very weekend before this accident he almost killed myself and the same other two passengers just outside vacaville, traveling in excess of 100 mph and didn't see the road had ended. we slid into a field and josh, the victim in the I-80 accident told him that he needed to calm his driving down and his response was " I got skills". he deserves the max penalty for his actions and hope the D.A. peruses that outcome, for Josh's sake. I would like to speak at his trial if possible