Whittier Car Accidents Linked to DUI Offenders

As many Whittier car accident lawyers know, Whittier has experienced considerable growth, especially since the 1990s and currently has a population that is soon to exceed 90,000. Regrettably, this growth has also created the climate for more Whittier car accidents. As one might expect, many of these car accidents are caused by those driving under the influence.

"A city's rapid growth, combined with scofflaws who insist on driving drunk, can result in some very tragic car crashes," noted John Bisnar, founding partner of BISNAR | CHASE.

The California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) reported that in 2006, DUIWhittier car collisions accounted for three deaths and 32 injuries. In other related car accidents, three pedestrians were killed and 24 were injured. In addition, one motorcyclist was killed and 31 were injured. Overall, nine people were killed and 411 people were injured in Whittier car collisions. In 2007, 13 motor vehicles were involved in Whittier car accidentsthat caused 11 deaths.

In one tragic Whittier car accident that occurred in 2007, a Toyota driver with a blood alcohol level of .109 and .108 (which exceeds the legal limit of .08) struck a teenage pedestrian who was crossing a road. The 15-year-old high school student never recovered from his injuries at an Irvine hospital.

In its pro-active efforts to remove drunks and other traffic violators from city streets and prevent tragic car collisions, the Whittier Police Department set up a Driving Under the Influence Checkpoint in the area of Whittier Blvd. and Mills Ave. Conducted between 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. on December 19, 2008, the checkpoint and other enforcement efforts are part of the Whittier Police Department's "Selective Traffic Enforcement Program." Officers were also on the lookout for unlicensed motorists or those driving with a suspended driver's license. Drivers not having a valid license were issued a citation and their vehicles were impounded for 30 days.

On March 13, 2009, the Whittier Police Department conducted another Driving Under the Influence Checkpoint in the area of Mulberry Drive and Santa Fe Springs Road. The checkpoint was again conducted between 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.

"DUI checkpoints serve a valuable role in removing dangerous drivers from our streets and highways," said John Bisnar. "They have helped reduce the number of Whittier car collisions."

Be on the Hit-and-Run Lookout

BISNAR | CHASE, in conjunction with WeTip, a leading anonymous crime reporting service and law enforcement advocacy non-profit organization, is launching a program intended to wipe out hit-and-runs in the state of California by offering rewards for tips leading to the arrest and felony conviction of hit-and-run drivers. See Hit-and-Run Reward for more details.

BISNAR | CHASE 2006-2010 Super Lawyers names outstanding lawyers from more than 60 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. BISNAR | CHASE has received this award for five consecutive years. Brian Chase was named one of the 2010 Top 50 Orange County Lawyers.