The driver of a Ford Econoline van was killed in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say, was caused by a suspected drunk driver, early morning on March 4, 2010. According to a news report in the Daily Breeze, police arrested 27-year-old Adriano Baek on suspicion of one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and two counts of DUI causing injury or death -- all felonies.
California Highway Patrol officials say Baek was driving south on the 405 Freeway near the Crenshaw Boulevard off-ramp, in Torrance, when he attempted to merge into the fast lane. While doing so, Baek rear-ended the Ford van at a high rate of speed. The van driver lost control, went across two lanes of traffic and hit another vehicle driving in the slow lane. The van finally went down a steep embankment and crashed. The driver died at the scene and has not yet been identified.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of the deceased driver for their tragic and devastating loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to them.
DUI Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities and 30 injuries involving DUI collisions in Torrance. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 258 people died and 4,832 were injured as a result of alcohol-related crashes, during that year.
Drunk Driving Laws
Driving under the influence is a serious crime in California. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): "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."
A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges, as Baek does in this case. California Penal Code section 191.5 (a) states: "Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence."
Claim for Compensation
The deceased victim's family would be well-advised to consult with a reputed Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who is also experienced in financially pursuing drunk drivers. A skilled car accident lawyer will make sure that the family's rights are protected and that they receive fair compensation for their losses. A knowledgeable car accident attorney should advise the family about how their own car insurance policy will apply in an accident case that involves an uninsured or underinsured driver.
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
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