DUI

Carl Evans, 30, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident after a vehicle that drifted out of traffic lanes struck him. According to a news article in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred early morning on September 23, 2012 along Highway 18 near the lower Waterman Canyon turnoff in Crestline. Officials say Evans was struck by 45-year-old Margaret Stegenga who had been drinking. However, Stegenga has not been arrested “because the degree of her alcohol impairment” has not yet been determined. Investigators have established that Evans, who was walking beside the roadway, was hit by Stegenga’s vehicle that drifted out of traffic lanes.

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

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Jason Shmelnik, 21, Pavel “Pasha” Volodkovich and Ekaterina Botvinieva, 23, were killed in a fiery car accident in Los Angeles. According to a CBS news report, the fatal crash occurred early morning on September 9, 2012 on Ventura Boulevard near Tujunga Avenue in Studio City. Officials say the three friends were traveling in a BMW that went out of control and struck several trees before crashing into Reno’s Pizzeria in the 11400 block of Ventura Boulevard. The impact sheared a gas line causing the car and the building to erupt in flames. The occupants of the vehicle were unable to get out in time and died at the scene. Police suspect that speed and alcohol were factors in this crash. The investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Shmelnik, Volodkovich and Botvinieva. The victims’ friends say the three were celebrating Shmelnik’s 21st birthday and were driving from a restaurant in the San Fernando Valley. Tragic! Please keep these grieving families in your thoughts and prayers.

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Two sisters, ages 12 and 6, were critically injured in a Los Angeles car crash after a suspected drunk driver struck them while they were walking in a marked crosswalk. According to a City News Service report, the major injury collision occurred the night of September 7, 2012 at the intersection of North San Fernando Road and Hallett Avenue near Glassell Park. Police say the two girls and their grandmother were crossing the roadway when a car that was westbound on San Fernando hit the pedestrians. The male driver was traveling at 50 mph in a 35-mph zone. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. While the grandmother was not hurt, the two children were transported to an area hospital with life threatening injuries.

My thoughts and prayers are with these two severely injured children and their family members for what they are going through at this time. The younger child apparently underwent brain surgery after suffering severe head trauma. I wish these injured victims the very best for a complete recovery.

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Santa Paula Police Officer Kimberley Hemminger, 33, of Oxnard, was killed in a Ventura County car accident involving a drunk driver. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the DUI crash occurred on South Mountain Lookout Road near Coyote Canyon Road near Santa Paula the night of July 22, 2012. Officials say the male driver of a Jeep was traveling too fast and lost control on a curve. The Jeep spun around and rolled over. Hemminger was partially ejected and pinned under the vehicle. Two other female occupants of the Jeep suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle was charged with DUI and vehicular manslaughter.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Kimberley Hemminger following this tragic car accident. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. I also wish the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

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Five people were injured in an Orange County car accident involving a speeding vehicle, which officials say was driven by a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the DUI collision occurred on Gilbert Street near Ball Road in Anaheim, the night of July 20, 2012. Police stated the driver of a Volkswagen Passat was under the influence and speeding when he collided with a Nissan Altima. Four occupants of the Volkswagen and the driver of the Nissan suffered major injuries. The driver of the Volkswagen was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

My thoughts and prayers are with the five injured victims of this Orange County accident. I wish them all the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

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A 28-year-old woman and her 10-month-old son were injured in a Riverside car accident when two vehicles collided and veered onto the sidewalk where she was pushing a stroller with her son in it. According to The Press Enterprise, the injury accident occurred along Sycamore Canyon Boulevard near El Cerrito Drive, the afternoon of May 30, 2012. Officials say the driver of a Nissan 300Z was under the influence when he made a right turn and sideswiped a Ford SUV pushing both vehicles into the pedestrian. The two victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the hospital. The 21-year-old driver of the Nissan was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and other charges.

My thoughts and prayers are with the woman and infant injured in this pedestrian accident. I wish them both the very best for a complete and speedy recovery. It is indeed fortunate that the victims did not sustain critical injuries here.

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