Traffic Accident News

January 30, 2012—Fairfield, CA—a 42-year-old Sacramento woman was arrested in a deadly crash on I-80 near Fairfield early Sunday morning. Authorities are charging the woman with DUI and possession of a firearm.

Michelle Henry was operating a Buick Lucerne in the westbound lane of I-80 at a very high rate of speed early Sunday morning when she rear-ended a Ford Explorer. Both vehicles overturned, and the Explorer landed on its roof in the eastbound lane.

As one of the passengers, a 25-year-old Sacramento man, emerged from the vehicle and attempted to help another passenger, a Toyota struck the rear of the Explorer. The Explorer hit the man and threw him across the roadway into the westbound lanes, where he was killed. The driver of the Explorer was also killed in the fatal car accident.

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Kyung Namgoong, 53, of Buena Park, was killed in an Anaheim car accident, which officials say involved a suspected drunk driver who was traveling the wrong way on the freeway. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal car accident occurred during the early morning hours of January 29, 2012 on the westbound 91 Freeway at Coal Canyon, in Anaheim.

California Highway Patrol officials say the Toyota Camry, in which Namgoong was a passenger, was struck by a wrong-way driver identified as 23-year-old Ruben Gurrola. He has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. The driver of the Camry, a 58-year-old Buena Park man, and the 24-year-old female passenger in Gurrola's Honda Civic, were transported to local hospitals with traumatic injuries.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Kyung Namgoong for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My thoughts and prayers are also with the injured victims of this crash. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

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Joyce Yamani, 69, was severely injured in a Ventura car accident after, officials say, a hit-and-run teenage drunk driver struck her power scooter. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the hit-and-run accident occurred along Mills Road near Preble Avenue in Ventura, the afternoon of January 16, 2012. Officials say Andres Covarrubias, 18, lost control of his vehicle while traveling at a high rate of speed and struck Yamani. He then hit a parked vehicle, backed up and drove away. Yamani suffered serious injuries in the crash. Covarrubias was located with the help of witnesses, and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and hit-and-run.

My thoughts and prayers are with Joyce Yamani following this hit-and-run car accident. I wish her the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

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Lany Castillo, 3, was critically injured in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say involved a drunk driver who fled the scene. According to a CBS Los Angeles news report, the DUI collision occurred on Mulberry Drive at Laurel Avenue in Whittier, the afternoon of January 13, 2012. Officials say Matthew Parker, 25, of Garden Grove, was intoxicated and speeding when he drove his Toyota Highlander through a red light and crashed into a Toyota Corolla. Lany suffered major head trauma in the crash and was transported to a nearby hospital. Her grandmother, Estella Garcia, suffered major injuries as well, while her grandfather, Jorge Garcia, 55, sustained relatively minor injuries. Officials arrested Parker shortly after the incident and charged him with felony drunk driving and felony hit-and-run.

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Five people, including a 3-year-old and a 4-month-old, were injured in a San Diego car accident, which officials say, was caused by a suspected drunk driver, the afternoon of January 8, 2012. According to a news report in UT San Diego, the injury collision occurred on a bridge over the San Diego River on West Mission Bay Drive. Police say a silver Mazda driven by 29-year-old Kaleb Clark hit a sedan carrying a woman and two children. The woman's car then struck another vehicle.

Five people were transported to the hospital, but only the 3-year-old and a passenger in Clark's car were seriously injured, officials said. The 3 year-old sustained a broken leg and loose teeth while the passenger suffered serious, nonfatal injuries after hitting the car's windshield. Clark rode with a friend, in an ambulance, to the hospital and then fled. Police are asking Clark to turn himself in as soon as possible. An investigation is ongoing.

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

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A new video called “There are no extra lives when you drink and drive,” has recently come into view showing the dangers of drinking and driving. It carries with it an emotional message about the possible deadly consequences of drinking and driving and seems especially relevant for the teenage and young adult audience. The video was sponsored by Bisnar | Chase as a public service announcement to increase awareness about the tragic and preventable nature of drunk driving accidents.

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Drunk driving prevention in Orange County may be taking steps in the right direction, but there are still a number of drunk driving car accidents and fatalities on a yearly basis. Drunk driving plaintiff advocates, John Bisnar and Brian Chase, are developing new ways to help market the dangers of driving while intoxicated and plan to increase efforts over the upcoming years.

Bisnar and Chase is a drunk driving car accident law firm that operates out of Newport Beach, California. Bisnar and Chase partners, John Bisnar and Brian Chase, have been helping victims of drunken driving since 1978 and have participated in several drunk driving campaigns having affiliations with M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and other organization committed to the cause.

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Ella Anne Jefferson, 69, of Hemet, was killed in a Riverside car accident, which officials say, involved a suspected drunk driver. According to a news article in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal DUI collision occurred on Domenigoni Parkway near Leon Road in Winchester, the morning of December 26, 2011. California Highway Patrol officials report Ryan Mahan, 20, was speeding and weaving through traffic as he headed west on Domenigoni Parkway, when he lost control of his vehicle, which jumped over the curb and dirt divider. Mahan's 2003 Saturn Ion then traveled into the eastbound fast lane where it crashed head-on into Jefferson's gold 2011 Toyota Camry. Jefferson sustained fatal injuries, while Mahan suffered two broken legs and internal injuries. He is expected to be charged with felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter.

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

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A teenager was critically injured in a Ventura car accident after the vehicle in which he was a passenger was struck by a suspected drunk driver who then fled the scene. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the injury collision occurred in Simi Valley the night of December 22, 2011. Police say 20-year-old Nicolas Budfuloski, exited the driveway of Ralph's in the 2700 block of Los Angeles Avenue and was hit by a vehicle while he was attempting to make a westbound turn.

Hit-and-Run

The driver of the other vehicle, who was later identified as Arturo Sanchez, fled the scene on foot. One of Budfuloski's two passengers had to be extricated from the vehicle. The boy suffered pulmonary contusions and blunt force trauma. Budfuloski and the other passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Sanchez was arrested shortly after the crash and was charged with felony DUI causing injury.

My thoughts and prayers are with the young man who is fighting for his life after being injured in this hit-and-run car accident. I wish him and the other injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

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Actress Brigitte Nielsen was injured in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say, was caused by a suspected drunk driver. According to news reports in Aceshowbiz.com and TMZ, the injury collision occurred in Los Angeles the night of December 21, 2011. Officials say that the Porsche Cayenne in which Nielsen was a passenger, was struck from behind by a Toyota Matrix whose driver was under the influence.

The impact from the rear-end collision caused the Porsche to hit another car in front. Nielsen was transported to a local hospital for internal bleeding checks and a CAT scan. She was sent home later that night and reportedly suffered non-life-threatening head and neck injuries. TMZ reports that the female driver of the Toyota "blew well over 0.08 percent" during a Breathalyzer test. An investigation is ongoing.

I'm relieved to hear that no one suffered life-threatening injuries in this three-car crash. I wish Nielsen the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

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A 17-year-old Newport Harbor High School student suffered severe injuries in a Newport Beach car accident, which officials say, was caused by a driver who was under the influence. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the female pedestrian was in a crosswalk at the intersection of Irvine Avenue and Margaret Drive, the afternoon of December 6, 2011, when a Chevy Tahoe that was heading north struck her. Police arrested the driver, 38-year-old Marnie J. Lippincott, on suspicion of driving under the influence. The student was transported in critical condition to a regional trauma center. Anyone who saw this crash is asked to contact Newport Beach police at 949-644-3747.

My heart goes out to this young woman and her family for what they are going through at this time. I wish her the very best for a quick and full recovery. Please keep this pedestrian accident victim and her family members in your prayers.

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Four people were injured in a San Diego car accident, which police report, may have involved a drunk driver, the morning of December 4, 2011. According to a news article in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the DUI collision occurred in the eastbound lanes of the Interstate 8, near Waring Road, in Mission Valley. California Highway Patrol officials say a Land Rover rear-ended a Lexus SUV forcing it to spin out of control and go over a center rail divider. Other vehicles were reportedly involved and at least one man was trapped inside an overturned SUV. Two adults and two children were hospitalized following the crash with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Land Rover was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

My thoughts and prayers are with the many injured victims of this crash. I wish them all the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

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David Mack, 25, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident involving a suspected DUI driver. According to a report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred at the intersection of Seventh and Olive streets in Los Angeles, during the early morning hours of November 21, 2011. Officials say a sedan driven by 30-year-old Patrick Traylor turned in front of the motorcyclist. The motorcycle struck the passenger side of the sedan. Mack died at the scene. A passenger in the car was transported to an area hospital for facial and head lacerations. Traylor was arrested on suspicion of murder. Officials suspect he was driving under the influence.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of David Mack for their tragic loss. I wish the injured passenger here the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

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A man and a woman were injured in a San Diego car accident, which officials report, involved a drunk driver. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the DUI collision occurred on College Avenue near Lambda Drive in San Diego, the evening of November 6, 2011. The 51-year-old female driver was travelling the wrong way on the roadway when her Mini Cooper collided with a Kia sedan driven by a man in his 30s. Both drivers were hospitalized with broken bones. The female motorist has been charged with drunk driving.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this San Diego car accident. I wish this DUI crash victim the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

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A female passenger suffered major injuries in a Ventura car accident, which officials report, involved a suspected drunk driver. According to a news article in The Ventura County Star, the DUI crash occurred on Madera Road in Simi Valley, the evening of November 5, 2011. Officials say Donna Hebert, 43, failed to negotiate a curve on the roadway, crossed all southbound lanes of traffic, and struck several call boxes. The vehicle then came to rest in a drainage ditch. Hebert's passenger sustained lacerations to her head and several broken ribs. Hebert was evaluated for injuries before being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence while causing injury.

My thoughts and prayers are with the woman injured in this Ventura crash. I wish her the best for a complete and speedy recovery.

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A 24-year-old man was killed in a Los Angeles car accident, which police report, involved two drunk drivers. According to a report in The Whittier Daily News, the fatal DUI collision occurred at the intersection of Greenleaf Avenue and Telegraph Road in Santa Fe Springs, during the early hours of October 30, 2011. Officials say the man was driving a Chevrolet Lumina when he collided with a GMC Yukon driven by 32-year-old Juan Mora. The victim appeared to have only suffered a broken leg but he later died at the hospital after his blood pressure dropped. Officials report that both drivers may have been under the influence of alcohol. Mora has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

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Two teenagers were injured, one of them seriously, in a San Bernardino car accident after they were struck by a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the injury collision occurred the night of October 15, 2011 on Lake Gregory Drive in Crestline. Officials say 68-year-old Raye G. Bayorgeon was southbound on Lake Gregory Drive in a Chrysler PT Cruiser, when she allowed the car to drift onto the asphalt shoulder. She then hit a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl who were walking on the shoulder. The girl sustained major injuries while the boy suffered relatively minor injuries. Bayorgeon was arrested on suspicion of DUI causing injury. An investigation is ongoing.

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Two women were injured in a San Diego car accident after they were hit by a suspected drunk driver, the early morning of October 14, 2011. According to a 10News report, the pedestrian collision occurred on 63rd Street, near San Diego State University, when a driver, who officials say, was traveling at twice the speed limit, struck them. The women, who are both in their 20s, were dragged about 30 feet through the intersection. The driver stopped at the scene Officers arrested the male driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. An investigation is ongoing.

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

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Latrina Leeshell Woodberry, 34, and her daughter, Lauren Rideau, 11, were killed in a San Bernardino car accident involving a hit-and-run driver. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, the fatal hit-and-run accident occurred along Highway 395 at Smoke Tree Road in Victorville, the afternoon of October 10, 2011.

Woodberry was driving a 2001 Ford Explorer when a Dodge pickup turned left toward a driveway, in front of her. The Explorer went out of control and struck a telephone pole. Woodberry and Lauren suffered fatal injuries, while Woodberry's 8-year-old son was airlifted to a trauma center. The driver of the Dodge fled the scene of the crash. Police later arrested the driver of the pickup, identified as 31-year-old Luis Arroyo, on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and hit-and-run causing death and injury.

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Sergio Juarez, 24, was killed in a Ventura car accident after the vehicle in which he was a passenger hit by a parked truck, the night of October 8, 2011. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the fatal DUI collision occurred at the intersection of Thompson Boulevard and Catalina Street. Police say 23-year-old Nicholas Gaeta was driving a car, with Juarez as his passenger, when he hit the back of a box truck. Juarez sustained severe neck and head injuries. He was transported to a hospital where he died. Gaeta was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter.

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