Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

MENDOCINO COUNTY - A 65-year-old Calistoga man was seriously injured Sunday afternoon after the motorcycle he was riding collided with a pickup truck, the Press Democrat reported. The accident was reported at about 12:20 p.m. just south of Hopland. The victim, Randall Gremp, was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with major injuries. Further details about the cause of the September 25th Mendocino County motorcycle accident were not available; the cause of the collision remains under investigation.

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Three people suffered major injuries early Sunday morning in a suspected alcohol-related accident in San Jose, the Mercury News reported. The major injury crash occurred at about 3:15 a.m. Sunday on the shoulder of northbound Highway 101, just north of Metcalf Road. The crash involved a Mitsubishi, a Toyota, and a Mercedes.

The occupants of the Mitsubishi and the Toyota were standing on the shoulder of Highway 101 tending to a flat tire on the Toyota. A 23-year-old San Jose woman was standing between the two vehicles. At some point during the tire change process, 18-year-old Eric Nun of San Jose, who was driving northbound on Highway 101, veered his Mercedes off the road and rear-ended the parked Mitsubishi. The impact severed the leg of the 23-year-old woman standing between the two vehicles.

The 29-year-old Milpitas man who had been driving the Mitsubishi suffered major head injuries and internal bleeding. The 23-year-old man who had been driving the Toyota also suffered major head injuries. Eric Nun suffered a broken ankle and other injuries. He was later booked into Santa Clara County's main jail on a felony DUI charge.

Cause of the Highway 101 Accident

Accidents caused by drunk drivers are 100% preventable. The CHP is continuing to investigate the cause of this August 29th crash and the official cause of the accident has not been released. Based on news reports, it appears that this crash was caused by the teen driver of the Mercedes, who was reportedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

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A 20-year-old Willits woman was seriously injured Sunday afternoon in a crash on Highway 101 north of Laytonville, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported. The July 18th Mendocino County accident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. A northbound 2003 Honda Civic driven by Kayla Chesser, 21, of Willits was travelling at a high rate of speed when it drifted across Highway 101 and narrowly missed crashing into another vehicle. The Honda went off the road, and was briefly airborne before it overturned multiple times down an embankment.

The front seat passenger, Misty Duran, 20, who was wearing a seatbelt, suffered a broken back, broken pelvis, broken nose and other injuries. She was airlifted to Howard Memorial Hospital in Willits. Kayla Chesser, the driver, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. She suffered only minor injuries in the crash. The CHP is investigating the cause of the crash.

Liability When Drunk Drivers Injure Passengers

In situations such as this one, the family members of a passenger victim of a drunk driving accident are well-advised to contact an experienced Mendocino County drunk driving accident victim lawyer who can help them protect their rights. In addition to criminal charges for drunken driving causing injury to others, the driver may be liable for her passenger's injuries, including medical expenses, lost earnings related to an accident, and compensation for pain and suffering.

Advocates for Victims of Drunk Driving Crashes

At Estey Bomberger, we take drunk driving seriously, and believe that accidents caused by drunk drivers are 100% preventable. We are committed to helping victims of drunken driving accidents recover maximum, full and fair compensation for injuries sustained as a result of a drunk driving accident. Our DUI accident victim attorneys proudly support MADD and other organizations dedicated to stopping the epidemic of drunk driving in California. Visit our website, stop-drunk-driving.com, for more information about how you can help end drunk driving in your community.

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A 4-year-old Gilroy boy very tragically died Sunday night after a drunk driver going home from a heavy metal concert struck his family's pickup truck on Highway 101, Mercury News reported. The fatal crash occurred on southbound Highway 101 near Bailey Avenue at about 6 p.m. According to news reports, a family of four pulled over on the shoulder of Highway 101 after their truck broke down. The mother and a 12-year-old girl exited the vehicle safely and were not hurt. However, as the father was unbuckling his 4-year-old son from the back of the family's pickup truck, the truck was rear-ended by a Ford F-150 pickup truck going between 65 and 70 mph.

The impact caused a toolbox in the back of the Chevy to go flying right into the young boy's head. He was barely breathing when emergency responders arrived at the scene. A LifeFlight helicopter flew him to San Jose Regional Medical Center where he died of his injuries. The Santa Clara County Coroner's office identified the boy as Jose Cortes-Diaz of Gilroy. Cortes-Diaz's father suffered a fractured rib and a broken jaw.

According to the CHP, the driver of the Ford F-150, James "Jimmy" Francis Lee told officers that he fell asleep. After being treated for minor injuries, Lee was booked into Santa Clara County Jail on charges of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Cause of the Highway 101 Crash

Although the cause of the July 11th crash is still under investigation, if news reports are accurate, this accident was caused by the drunk driver, James F. Lee. Our condolences go out to the family of Jose Cortes-Diaz, who was the innocent victim of a completely preventable tragedy. It is especially heartbreaking that the entire family witnessed the horrific accident firsthand, and it will forever be a part of their lives. Please keep this entire family in your prayers during this surely very difficult time.

DUI Accidents and Wrongful Death Liability

No parent should ever have to witness their child die before their eyes. When a loved one is lost due to the negligent actions of another (in this case, drinking and driving), families may seek justice for their unexpected and devastating loss in a wrongful death claim. Civil damages awarded may include compensation for funeral and burial expenses, anticipated future lifetime earnings of the victim, and loss of love, care and companionship. Although no money could ever undo the pain of an accident or bring back an innocent life lost, a wrongful death action can hold the driver accountable for his actions and help the family recover compensation for their financial loss. In certain cases involving drunk drivers in California, additional punitive damages may be awarded, which may be substantial.

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