Alyssa Nicole Randles, 22, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident early morning on August 16, 2009 after a suspected drunk driver made a left turn in front of her car at an intersection in Ontario, California. According to a news report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, police have not yet recommended any criminal charges against 23-year-old Jeffrey Gonzalez because they have not completed the investigation. Gonzalez had fled the scene of the accident and was arrested when officers found him hiding nearby. Police suspect Gonzalez was under the influence of alcohol when he turned his pickup truck left at the intersection of Euclid and Schaefer avenues and struck Randles' Volkswagen.
Police booked him on suspicion of felony drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter. However, Gonzalez was released from jail because prosecutors had to charge him with a crime or release him. Ontario police say a team of eight officers has worked this investigation, but too many "loose ends remained" for them to submit their conclusions to prosecutors. The focus of this investigation, officials say, is which driver had the right-of-way through the intersection at the time of the car collision. Officials are asking that witnesses who saw the crash call them at 909-395-2001.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Alyssa Nicole Randles for their tragic, heartbreaking and untimely loss. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Randles. Please keep them in your prayers.
San Bernardino DUI Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were eight fatalities and 130 injuries in Ontario involving alcohol-related car accidents. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 105 deaths and 1,174 injuries were reported as a result of alcohol-related car accidents in 2007.
Driving under the influence is a serious violation of California law. 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." The same code section also states that it is illegal for any person with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or more to drive a vehicle.
California Car Accident Lawyer
Alyssa Nicole Randles' family would be well advised to consult an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the accident investigation and make sure justice is done here. If there was negligence or wrongdoing involved, Randles' family may be able to file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical/funeral expenses, loss of wages and other related damages. If there was a dangerous condition at the intersection, the city could also be held liable for the accident and resulting injuries. Any claim against a governmental entity in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.
SLS Consulting