Traffic Accident News

A 14-year-old Northwood High School cheerleader who was left brain-dead after an Irvine car accident, which officials say was caused by a drunk driver, has been identified as Ashton Sweet. The Orange County Register reports that the major injury collision occurred the morning of May 29, 2011 at the intersection of Irvine Boulevard and Culver Drive when 26-year-old Austin Farley, who was driving a red pickup truck slammed into a Mercedes Benz driven by 48-year-old Mike Ghaemi, carrying four teenagers.

Sweet, one of the passengers, sustained critical injuries and is being kept on life support so her organs can be donated. Another passenger, 15-year-old Krista Merassa, remains in critical condition. Ghaemi and two others sustained relatively minor injuries. Farley is facing DUI charges and could face additional charges depending on the outcome of the investigation.

My heartfelt sympathies go out to everybody who knew and loved Ashton Sweet. What a heartbreaking tragedy for the family, her friends, the school and the entire community! As someone who lives two blocks away from Northwood High and drives by there every day, I share my community's shock and grief over this horrific, senseless tragedy.

Continue reading " DUI Collision in Irvine Causes Life-Threatening Injuries " »

When I go to 7-eleven I’m not usually worried about my personal safety, well I guess it depends on why I’m there, but patrons looking for a soda or a quick snack were worrying about just that when a Lexus sedan came flying through the window at a high speed yesterday. A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence Wednesday night after he drove into a 7-Eleven, authorities said. The crash occurred at about 9:30 p.m. at the 7-Eleven on Harbor Boulevard and Heil Avenue, said Sgt. Kurt Ulrich with the Fountain Valley Police Department. Thankfully, no one on seen was hurt and no other vehicles were involved.

Blind luck was what saved the other patrons during this unusual auto accident, but there very easily could have been several people injured or killed. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the difference between catastrophic injuries and a simple building restoration is usually a matter of inches. The picture provided on the Orange County Register displays propane tanks less than 10 feet away from the window that this elderly gentleman destroyed with ease. What could have been is an easy concept to forget.

Continue reading " Fountain Valley DUI Suspect Plows through 7-Eleven " »

Beach Boulevard gets some of the worst traffic in Huntington Beach. Throw in the high number of pedestrians, several bars, and frequent eye candy and you get a recipe for disaster. The driver of a pickup truck learned this lesson the hard way late Wednesday evening when he struck a pedestrian and tried to make a run for it.

According to the ocregister, the driver of a pickup truck that police believe struck and critically injured a pedestrian late Wednesday was arrested minutes later on suspicion of hit-and-run. The collision happened around 10 p.m. at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Chrysler Drive, according to Sgt. Nikitin. The pedestrian was hospitalized and is now in critical but stable condition.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the pedestrian who was injured in this horrible car accident. Hopefully no permanent damage was inflicted and that he or she will endure a speedy recovery.

Huntington Beach Car Accidents

Being involved in a car accident is a sobering event, stretching a moment’s time into what seems like hours. One moment you are driving merrily on your way to your destination, and the next you are experiencing pure fear, trying desperately to figure out a way to avoid the unavoidable. Many drivers have already experienced the terror of experiencing an auto wreck first hand, but if you haven’t, you probably will.

Continue reading " Huntington Beach Hit-and-Run Car Accident Puts Pedestrian in Critical Condition " »

Sebastian Bobby Orioli Jr., 38, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident, which officials say, involved a suspected drunk driver who made an unsafe left turn. According to a news report in The San Bernardino County Sun, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred the evening of March 25, 2011 at the intersection of Euclid Avenue and Holt Boulevard in Ontario.

Officials say Orioli was riding a Harley Davidson north on Euclid, when a Chevy Suburban driven by 32-year-old Chris Wilcox turned left in front of the motorcycle causing a collision. Orioli was transported to a local hospital where he died the following morning. Wilcox was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI causing injury. Officials say, based on a preliminary DUI investigation, that Wilcox's blood alcohol concentration was at least twice the legal limit.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Sebastian Bobby Orioli Jr. following this tragic motorcycle accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Continue reading " Ontario Car Accident Proves Fatal for Motorcyclist " »

San Francisco police officials are seeking the public's help to identify a vehicle that was involved in a hit-and-run car accident, which left a bicyclist seriously injured. According to an Associated Press news report, the accident occurred the night of May 11, 2011 at the intersection of Turk and Fillmore streets. A surveillance camera that captured the incident shows that the driver of a gray Nissan, who was northbound on Fillmore, pulled into southbound lanes and made an abrupt left turn on Turk. As the driver attempted the turn, the Nissan collided with the bicyclist severely injuring the person.

The driver sped away without stopping. The suspect vehicle is described as a mid-1990s model gray Nissan, possibly a Maxima, with damage to the passenger side. Anyone with information about the vehicle or its driver is asked to contact San Francisco police hit-and-run investigators at 415-553-1641.

My heart goes out to the injured bicyclist and his or her family members for what they are going through at this time. I wish this victim the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep this person in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading " San Francisco Hit-and-Run Car Accident Injures Bicyclist " »

Gretel Maritza Martinez, 23, was fatally injured in a Bakersfield car accident, which officials say, involved an underage drunk driver. According to an ABC news report, the fatal car accident occurred early morning on May 21, 2011 near the intersection of Coffee Road and Stockdale Highway. Officers found a critically injured Martinez lying at the intersection. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hit-and-Run Collision

Officials say Martinez was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped at a red light. She apparently got out of the car when she became ill. Martinez and another passenger were outside their vehicle, when a passing car struck Martinez. The other passenger was not injured. The vehicle fled southbound without stopping at the scene. Shortly after the crash, the parent of a 16-year-old called officials saying the girl may have struck someone at the location where officers were investigating the hit-and-run accident. Based on physical evidence at the scene, officials determined that the teenager was the hit-and-run driver who had struck Martinez. She has been charged with DUI greater than 0.08, hit-and-run, and vehicular manslaughter.

Continue reading " Woman Killed in Bakersfield DUI Collision " »

At least four people were injured in a car accident in El Centro, which officials report, was caused by a suspected drunk driver. According to a KSWT News article, the injury car accident occurred on State Route 111, near Worthington Road, in Imperial County. California Highway Patrol officials say 28-year-old Isaac Beaver ran a red light and hit a car carrying four people, including a teenager and two children, the morning of May 21, 2011. One of the children sustained major injuries and was airlifted to an area hospital. Beaver tried to run away from the scene of the crash, but was arrested and charged with hit-and-run and drunk driving.

My heart goes out to all the injured victims of this hit-and-run car accident. I wish them all the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

DUI Statistics

According to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person died and 12 were injured in DUI collisions in El Centro. In Imperial County as a whole, six fatalities and 64 injuries were reported due to alcohol-related crashes during the same year.

Continue reading " Hit-and-Run Car Accident Injures Four " »

Eight people including four children were injured in a Los Angeles car accident involving a van and a car. According to a City News Service report, the injury collision occurred in the northbound lanes of the 110 Freeway near Sepulveda Boulevard in Carson the morning of May 22, 2011. Firefighters freed four children who were trapped in the wreckage of the car. The children as well as four adults – two from each vehicle – were transported to a local hospital for treatment of various injuries. All are expected to survive. California Highway Patrol officials are investigating the cause of the incident.

My heart goes out to all the injured victims of this car accident. I'm relieved to hear that no one sustained life-threatening injuries. I wish the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 10 fatalities and 447 injuries involving car accidents in Carson. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 people died and 52,229 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Continue reading " Eight Injured in Los Angeles Car Accident " »

An 18-year-old woman is facing misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges in connection with a San Francisco area car accident, which killed 2-year-old Calli Murray and seriously injured the child's mother, 42-year-old Ling Murray. According to a CBS News report, Kaitlyn Dunaway, 18, has also been charged with texting while driving, driving at an unsafe speed and failing to yield right-of-way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Ling Murray and 2-year-old Calli were in a marked crosswalk at Snyder Lane in Rohnert Park on December 1, 2010 when Dunaway hit them.

My heart goes out to the Murray family for what they have been going through for the last several months. This fatal pedestrian accident could have been prevented had the driver kept her hands on the wheel and her attention on the road. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading " Texting Driver Faces Charges in Fatal Car Accident " »

Adriana Bucklew, 50, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road. According to a report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the major injury collision occurred the night of May 18, 2011 at the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Platt Avenue in Woodland Hills. Bucklew was walking in a marked crosswalk when a Cadillac Escalade driven by 21-year-old Anais Garcia hit her. The driver was attempting a left turn on Platt at the time.

The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. She died the following morning from her injuries. Garcia stopped at the scene. She has not been cited or arrested pending an official investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact LAPD's Valley Traffic Division at 818-644-8021.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Adriana Bucklew for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Car Accident Kills Pedestrian " »

Carlos James Adams, 25, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident after his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle, which may have made an unsafe left turn. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred the evening of May 16, 2011 on Mountain Avenue in the Del Rosa area. Officials say a 2001 Toyota Sequoia made a left turn in front of Adams' southbound 2004 Kawasaki motorcycle. Adams was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. It is unclear if the driver of the SUV was cited for the fatal crash.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Carlos James Adams following this tragic motorcycle accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), two people were killed and 69 were injured in San Bernardino motorcycle accidents. During that same year, 34 fatalities and 532 injuries occurred involving San Bernardino County motorcycle accidents.

Continue reading " San Bernardino Car Accident Proves Fatal for Motorcyclist " »

Otis Hall Jr. and Sharon Higgins, both 20, were killed in a Los Angeles car accident involving a big rig, a Lexus and a Ford Mustang. According to a news report in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, the fatal truck accident occurred on the 60 Freeway, near Garey Avenue, in Pomona, early morning on May 16, 2011. After being involved in an initial collision, the drivers of the Mustang and the Lexus pulled their vehicles onto the shoulder. Officials say both Hall and Higgins were standing in the shoulder of the highway outside their respective vehicles, when a large truck veered and struck them and the parked vehicles. Both Hall and Higgins died at the scene. The truck driver was transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Otis Hall Jr. and Sharon Higgins for their tragic, sudden and devastating losses. Please keep these grieving families in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), six people were killed and 717 were injured in Pomona car accidents. During that same year, there were 667 fatalities and 52,229 injuries reported due to Los Angeles County car accidents.

Continue reading " Two Killed in Los Angeles Car Accident Involving Big Rig " »

Getting your car towed is one of the most frustrating experiences you can have, unless you decide to then steal the tow truck and cause a multiple-vehicle car accident in Los Angeles. If you REALLY wanted to kick off your weekend, you could then jump out of the moving tow truck and run bare foot down the 5 freeway with the Los Angeles police department in pursuit. Believe it or not, this is exactly the scene witnessed on the southbound 5 Freeway near Alondra Boulevard.

In what was an awkward moment, even for downtown Los Angeles, an unidentified woman whose car was about to be towed decided to turn the tables and steal the tow truck. According to mailonline.com, she then jumped out of the moving truck and ran away barefoot wearing only fitted, black midriff-bearing top and spandex shorts, eventually causing an auto accident. Los Angeles police Lt Wayne Lightfoot said that the woman's name is not available "either because she was unable to provide it, severely mentally impaired or under the influence".

Los Angeles Drunk Driving Accidents

Although it has not been confirmed, it looks as though this mad dasher was the culprit of a drunk driving accident. Under California law, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 percent or higher. Judging by Lt. Wayne Lightfoot's statement, I think it is safe to assume that this driver exceeded that level. Thankfully, no one seems to have been injured as a result of this woman's hysterics, but that was extraordinarily good luck.

Continue reading " Half-Naked DUI Suspect Causes Los Angeles Car Accident While Stealing a Tow Truck " »

Luis Gonsalez, 28, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after his Ford Explorer SUV veered off the roadway and rolled over. According to a report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the fatal car accident occurred the morning of May 14, 2011 on the Sierra Highway near Newhall Road in Santa Clarita. The Ford SUV hit an embankment and rolled over many times. Gonsalez sustained fatal injuries. No other vehicles were involved. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Luis Gonsalez for their tragic and heartbreaking loss.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 11 deaths and 552 injuries involving car accidents in Santa Clarita. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 people died and 52,229 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Continue reading " Fatal Ford Explorer SUV Rollover Accident in Los Angeles " »

Nick Haverland, 20, was killed, and 34-year-old Corina Topete and her 13-year-old daughter were seriously injured in a Ventura car accident, which officials say, was caused by a drunk driver who fled the scene of the crash. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, officials say Satnam Singh was driving his Hummer erratically and caused three collisions on May 11, 2011. First, he struck Topete and her daughter who were riding their bikes on La Jolla Street. Then, he continued west and hit a pickup truck that was stopped at a red light. A family of three in the pickup complained of pain.

Even after striking the pickup, Singh drove the Hummer that had lost a wheel. Singh’s SUV struck down Haverland who was riding a bicycle in the bike lane near Telegraph Road and Mara Avenue. He died at the scene. A female driver identified as Cindy Wilson, 52, of Ventura followed Singh to his home. Police arrested the suspect in the driveway of his home on suspicion of felony DUI, vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run.

Continue reading " Ventura DUI Collision Proves Fatal for Bicyclist " »

Davida Sullivan, 30, was critically injured in a Los Angeles car accident the afternoon of May 9, 2011. According to a City News Service report, the injury collision occurred on McBean Parkway in Santa Clarita, when the driver of a 1999 Mercedes-Benz, Sullivan, made a left turn into the Ralphs Shopping Center in Santa Clarita, in front of a northbound 2009 Chevy Silverado. Sullivan was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. The driver of the Chevrolet sustained non-life-threatening injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to Davida Sullivan and her family for what they are going through at this time. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. I also wish the other injured driver a swift and full recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 11 fatalities and 552 injuries involving Santa Clarita car accidents. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 people died and 52,229 were injured in car accidents during the same year.

Continue reading " Driver Critically Injured in Los Angeles Car Accident " »

Marasho Kri Mazique, 35, was killed and his passenger sustained major injuries in a Los Angeles car accident following a head-on collision at a street intersection. According to a City News Service report, the fatal car accident occurred early morning on May 8, 2011 at the intersection of Manchester Avenue and Figueroa Street. Los Angeles police officials say a motorist who was heading west on Manchester Avenue tried to turn left on Figueroa, when he struck Mazique's vehicle that was traveling east on Manchester. Mazique was transported to a local hospital where he died while his passenger was hospitalized with major injuries. The other driver complained of pain and was also taken to an area hospital.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Marasho Kri Mazique for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My heart also goes out to the injured passenger. I wish the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 268 fatalities and 25,588 injuries involving Los Angeles car accidents. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 people died and 52,229 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Continue reading " Fatal Los Angeles Car Accident " »

Three students of Northridge Academy High School were injured in a Los Angeles car accident when a vehicle hit them as they walked in a crosswalk. According to a report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of Zelzah Avenue and Superior Street in Northridge the morning of May 6, 2011. The three teenagers were using the crosswalk when the vehicle struck them. All three students suffered non-life-threatening in the crash. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this Los Angeles pedestrian accident. I am relieved to hear they did not suffer life-threatening injuries and I wish them all a complete and speedy recovery.

Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 104 people were killed and 2,716 were injured in Los Angeles pedestrian accidents. During that same year, there were 214 fatalities and 4,985 injuries reported involving Los Angeles County pedestrian accidents.

Continue reading " Teen Pedestrians Injured in Los Angeles Car Accident " »

Police have arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with an Orange County car accident, which killed 23-year-old Nicole Davenport on January 14, 2011. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal car accident occurred at a Lake Forest street intersection when Jose Fernandez-Ramirez ran a red light and struck Davenport's 2009 Hyundai as she was making a left turn on Bake Parkway. Davenport was transported to Mission Hospital where she died from her injuries. Investigators determined after what they called a "long and tedious" four-month investigation that Ramirez in fact ran a red light at the time. They are seeking gross vehicular manslaughter charges against him. Ramirez was arrested the afternoon of May 4, 2011.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Nicole Davenport for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six fatalities and 169 injuries involving Lake Forest car accidents. In Orange County as a whole, 152 people died and 13,414 were injured as a result of car accidents in 2008.

Continue reading " Suspected Red Light Runner Arrested in Fatal Orange County Car Accident " »

At least four people were injured in a Los Angeles car accident after a car crashed into a Del Taco restaurant and burst into flames. According to a news report in The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the injury car accident occurred the morning of May 3, 2011 at 18200 Gale Avenue in the City of Industry. Police said three occupants of the vehicle and one restaurant employee were transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

I'm relieved to hear that none of the victims sustained critical or life-threatening injuries. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were three fatalities and 240 injuries reported involving car accidents in the City of Industry. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 fatalities and 52,229 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Continue reading " Four Injured in Los Angeles Car Accident " »

A car accident in Santa Ana left two people injured the morning of April 29, 2011. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury crash occurred at the intersection of First Street and Cabrillo Park Drive and involved two vehicles – a Mazda B3000 pickup truck and a Chevrolet S10 pickup truck. Officials say one of the drivers was traveling west on First and failed to stop for a red light and collided with the other vehicle traveling on Cabrillo Park Drive. The driver of the Chevy was injured with his arm trapped underneath the vehicle. A female passenger in the Chevrolet was also injured. But the extent of that person's injuries is not yet known. The victims were transported to an area hospital. The other driver was uninjured. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to the injured victims of this car accident. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 15 fatalities and 1,365 injuries as a result of Santa Ana car accidents. Also, 152 people died and 13,414 were injured as a result of Orange County car accidents.

Continue reading " Two Injured in Orange County Car Accident " »

Lena Avdeyev, 25, was injured in a Tulare car accident when her vehicle rolled over on the highway the evening of April 28, 2011. According to a news report in The Visalia Times Delta, the rollover car accident occurred on Highway 99 near Avenue 328 in Tulare. Avdeyev was pinned inside her vehicle after the crash. California Highway Patrol officials say that her vehicle overturned after being involved in a collision with another vehicle that left the scene of the accident. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with Lena Avdeyev following this Tulare County hit-and-run car accident. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), three people were killed and 117 were injured in Tulare car accidents. During that same year, 65 fatalities and 1,724 injuries occurred due to Tulare County car accidents.

Continue reading " Hit-and-Run Car Accident Injures Woman " »