At least three people were injured--two critically--in an August 21, 2009 Orange County car accident, which officials say was caused by a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, 33-year-old Richard Hildreth was driving his Dodge Durango in the FasTrak lane of the eastbound 91 Freeway in Anaheim when he rear-ended a Hyundai Elantra driven by a 57-year-old woman that spun out to the right shoulder.
The Durango continued briefly on the freeway, scraping the center median, before coming to a stop, California Highway Patrol officials said. Several eyewitnesses reported that Hildreth was driving recklessly. He apparently refused to get out of his vehicle even after CHP officers told him to do so. His SUV had caught fire while on the right shoulder of the freeway. Hildreth, who was injured, was then removed from his vehicle and handcuffed to the backboard of a gurney. He was expected to be booked on suspicion of driving under the influence, but officials said he also had a medical condition.
My heart goes out to all who were injured in this Anaheim car accident. I wish them all the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.
California Car Accident Law
Based on this newspaper report, Hildreth was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, which is a serious crime in this state. California law prohibits drivers from operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a) states: "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle."
However, many of Richard Hildreth's friends and relatives, who have left comments on the Register's Web site say that he was not under the influence and that he did not deliberately disobey officers' orders, but could not get out of his car because he was "knocked out" as a result of the car crash. One commenter who identifies herself as his cousin says Hildreth had taken some pain medication to soothe a sore elbow and may have blacked out on the freeway.
Orange County Personal Injury Lawyer
The victims of this accident would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who can help sort through these complex issues and determine exactly who or what caused this accident. In such cases where several victims and parties are involved, the investigation can get extremely complicated. A skilled car accident lawyer will analyze all aspects of the case and help injured victims secure fair compensation for their injuries, damages and loss.
SLS Consulting