Fatal California crash blamed on DUI

An apparent drunk driving accident resulted in the death of a California woman. And two of her children were hurt in the fatal crash. The other driver, a man, was arrested and charged with murder.

Accident details

The California motor vehicle accident took place on a recent Thursday on Highway 395. According to police, a 36-year-old woman was driving on the highway with two of her children. Law enforcement authorities say a sport utility vehicle entered oncoming traffic and struck her car.

The SUV driver, a 41-year-old man, survived the accident. However, the woman was killed, and her two kids suffered serious injuries. The mom died instantly, and one of her kids, a 12-year-old girl, had the presence of mind to call 911 immediately. A section of the car had to be removed to free the kids from the wreck. Reportedly, the man has multiple previous DUI convictions on his record.

Legal recourse

The surviving family members of the deceased woman appear to have grounds to file a wrongful death claim against the man who is believed to have caused the crash due to driving under the influence. Likewise, personal injury claims may be filed on behalf of the two children who were injured in the accident. If the man is convicted of his murder charge in connection with the accident, proof of the conviction may be presented in civil court to establish his negligence per se for the accident. Successfully litigated claims typically lead to damages to cover any losses resulting from the crash, such as hospital bills and funeral expenses.