A 21-year-old pedestrian was seriously injured in a Huntington Beach car accident after he was struck by a suspected drunk driver while walking in a marked crosswalk, the afternoon of June 6, 2010. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the victim was in a crosswalk at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Magnolia Avenue, when a Ford Taurus driven by 59-year-old Richard Elwood Swanson struck him. Police say Swanson left the scene after the collision. The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious, but non life-threatening injuries. Police stopped Swanson as he was driving home to Newport Beach. He was arrested and charged with felony DUI with injury and felony hit-and-run.
My heart goes out to this injured victim. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep this individual in your thoughts and prayers.
DUI statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six fatalities and 122 injuries involving DUI collisions in Huntington Beach. In Orange County as a whole, 62 deaths and 1,492 injuries were reported as a result of alcohol-related crashes in 2008.
California Car Accident Laws and Liability Issues
Under California law, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. 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."
Leaving the scene of the accident or hit-and-run is also a serious crime. California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."
In this particular case, if the details of the news report are accurate, the driver also struck a pedestrian who was in a crosswalk. California law requires motorists to yield right-of-way to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks. The injured victim would be well-advised to contact an experienced Huntington Beach personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable in this case.
What precautions or proactive steps can pedestrians in crosswalks take to avoid such collisions?
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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