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Ten people were hurt in a four-vehicle highway accident near Lompoc. (Photo: Santa Barbara County Fire Department)

Highway crash: Ten people were injured Tuesday in a four-vehicle pileup that started when a drunk driver crossed into oncoming traffic and crashed into an oncoming pickup truck on Highway 246 between Lompoc and Buellton.

•   An 18-year-old unlicensed driver was intoxicated when he drove home from an Indian casino.

•   The teen veered in to oncoming traffic on Highway 246 and crashed into a pickup truck. Another vehicle hit the teen’s car and also struck a pedestrian who was directing traffic. 

•   Ten people were treated at the scene and then hospitalized with injuries. 

•   The teen will be charged with felony DUI, failure to maintain lane position, and driving without a license. 

Officers responded to the accident shortly after 6 a.m., according to reports in in the Lompoc Record and the Santa Barbara Noozhawk.

California Highway Patrol Officer John Ortega said 18-year-old Gerardo Torres Jr. of Lompoc was driving a Honda Civic westbound on Highway 246 when he crossed over into the eastbound lane near Tularosa Road.

The Honda crashed into an oncoming Toyota Tacoma pickup truck driven by 37-year-old Romualdo Jacinto of Lompoc. The impact caused the pickup truck to flip over and land on its roof. Jacinto suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Cottage Hospital. Two of his four passengers also were injured.

The Honda was knocked back into the westbound lanes, where it came to rest.  Moments later, an approaching Lincoln Town Car crashed into the Honda. Torres, who was coming from the Chumash Casino Resort and was intoxicated, sustained a broken femur, Ortega said.

The Lincoln also struck 60-year-old Buellton resident Thomas Meade, who was directing traffic and giving assistance to victims. Meade suffered major injuries and was hospitalized at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. He was expected to survive.

Ortega said 18-year-old Julio Damacio and 22-year-old Juan Lopez of Lompoc suffered moderate injuries in the accident. Gerardo Lopez, 16, and Angel Mendoza, 23, also of Lompoc, suffered minor injuries.

All of the victims were treated at the scene and then taken to hospitals or further evaluation and treatment.

When Torres is released from the hospital, he will face charges of felony DUI, failure to maintain lane position and being an unlicensed driver.

Lompoc Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented drunk driving accident victims and their families for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.

One person was killed and three others seriously injured when a drowsy driver hit another vehicle on Highway 46 near Paso Robles.

Fatal highway crash: One person was killed and three others hospitalized Sunday night when a drowsy driver turned into oncoming traffic and crashed into another vehicle on Highway 46 in Shandon, about 15 miles east of Paso Robles.

•   A drowsy driver in an SUV made an unsafe turn, crossing a center line on a two-lane highway. He crashed head-on into an oncoming car.

•   The driver in the car was killed on impact. His passenger was hospitalized with serious injuries.

•   The SUV driver and his passenger also were hospitalized with serious injuries. 

The deadly car accident occurred 10 minutes before midnight, according to a report in the San Luis Obispo Tribune.

The California Highway Patrol said 32-year-old Marysville resident Eric Wellington was driving a 2002 Ford Expedition sports utility vehicle eastbound on Highway 46 at the time of the crash.

Wellington turned into oncoming traffic at McMillan Avenue and crashed head-on into a westbound 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by 50-year-old Cirigo Arias of Kettleman City.

The violent impact to the left front side of the Grand Prix killed Arias instantly. The front wheel of the car was knocked off and the car spun out, finally stopping on the shoulder on the westbound side of the highway.

Meanwhile, the collision caused Wellington’s SUV to roll over, blocking both lanes of the highway.

Arias was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, 31-year-old Everado Martinez, suffered serious injuries. She was hospitalized at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, according to a KEYT News report.

Wellington and his passenger, 27-year-old Rosalie Wellington, also suffered serious injuries. They also were taken to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center to be treated.

The CHP said driver fatigue (Wellington) was a major factor in the accident. Alcohol and drugs did not appear to be involved.

Paso Robles Car Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented car accident victims and their families for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.

A Jeep Cherokee tumbled off the 259 freeway, killing the driver and seriously injuring two passengers.

Fatal SUV rollover crash: A driver died and his passengers were seriously injured Saturday night when an SUV rolled over the edge of Highway 259 in San Bernardino.

•   A Jeep Cherokee hit a curb on the freeway, rolled over, and plummeted down a steep embankment onto a street below.

•   The driver was thrown from the car and died. 

•   An adult passenger suffered major injuries and a 3-year-old passenger suffered minor injuries.

The deadly freeway accident occurred at 11:20 p.m., according to an article in the Riverside Press-Enterprise.

Calilfornia Highway Patrol investigators said 26-year-old David Alex Trujillo of Colton was driving a 1993 Jeep Cherokee  southbound on Highway 259 near Highland Avenue at the time of the wreck.

For unknown reasons, the Jeep veered to the right and hit a side curb. That caused the vehicle to roll over and crash into a guard rail. Then it tumbled of of the freeway and down a steep embankment, the CHP report stated. The vehicle landed on I Street, near 21st Street.

Trujillo was ejected from the vehicle. He died at the scene.

A passenger who was riding in the front seat of the Jeep,  21-year-old Frankie J. Ruiz of Colton, suffered major injuries. No information about his condition was available.

Another passenger, a 3-year-old boy from Rialto, was riding in the back seat. He suffered minor injuries. His relationship to the other two occupants of the vehicle was not immediately known.

What happens when the driver who is at fault dies in the accident?

In this case, the CHP has not yet determined what caused the accident. Even it it does turn out to be the fault of the driver who suffered fatal injuries, what happens to the passengers who were seriously injured in the accident? Can they still make a claim, even though the at-fault driver died in the accident?

The answer is yes. The case survives even when the wrongdoer doesn’t. The insurance carrier for the car that the wrongdoer was driving remains liable for damages. If that policy does not have enough coverage, additional compensation may be sought via Underinsured Motorist coverage from the insurance carrier for the vehicle in which the innocent victim was a driver or passenger.

If a lawsuit is necessary, it would be filed against the estate of the wrongdoer. If there is no estate, then the injured party can force an estate to be set up to handle the lawsuit.

San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented car accident victims and their families for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.

Seven people were hurt in a multi-vehicle accident caused by an unsafe passing maneuver on Highway 330 near San Bernardino.

Seven people were injured Sunday in a six-vehicle car accident caused by an unsafe passing attempt on Highway 330 just outside the city limits of San Bernardino.

•   A Jeep Wrangler was tailgating another vehicle in a no-passing zone of a mountain highway and then pulled into the oncoming traffic lane to try to pass it.

•   The Jeep crashed into three oncoming vehicles. One of those vehicles spun out of control and hit two other vehicles.

•   A passenger had to be extricated from one of the vehicles. Seven people were taken to hospitals to be treated for injuries suffered in the accident.

The rural highway crash occurred at 2:55 p.m., about three miles north of the city limits, according to a article published Thursday in the Mountain News.

California Highway Patrol Officer Benjamin Baker said a southbound 2005 Jeep Wrangler, driven by 60-year-old Carol Duran of Big Bear City, had been tailgating a car in a no-passing zone and then pulled into the northbound traffic lane to try to pass the slower vehicle.

Baker said the Jeep crashed into three oncoming (northbound) vehicles — a 2012 Honda Civic driven by 22-year-old Gyeongsik Go of Pomona, a 2004 Toyota Corolla driven by 24-year-old Tiffany Ashlie Montejano of Fontana, and a 1996 Honda Accord driven by 31-year-old Joseph Charles Smith of Ontario.

The impact sent the Honda Civic out of control and it struck two southbound vehicles — a 2012 Honda Pilot driven by 34-year-old Marzo Carrasco Jr. of Baldwin Park and a 2004 GMC Yukon driven by Dakota R. Bokemezer of Palm Desert (no age listed).

There were 13 total people involved, including all of the passengers. San Bernardino City Fire Department Battalion Chief Tony Page told the Mountain News that seven people were injured in the accident and transported to area hospitals to be treated. Five of the victims were taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center and two were taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.

Baker said 29-year-old Nicole Islas of Ontario, who was a passenger in the Honda Accord, was trapped in the vehicle. Emergency workers had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate him.

No details about the nature and severity of the seven victims’ injuries were available as of Thursday.

San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented car accident victims and their families for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.

A man was killed Thursday when a chunk of concrete from a previous car accident smashed through his windshield on Highway 99 in Modesto, (Photo: Modesto Bee)

A 52-year-old man was killed Thursday morning by chunks of concrete that flew into his windshield in the aftermath of a car accident on Highway 99 in Modesto.

•   A Toyota sedan tried to change lanes on a divided highway and hit a box truck. The box truck went out of control and crashed into a concrete center divider. 

•   Concrete chunks went flying through the air, across the highway. One chunk smashed through the window of a pickup truck, killing the driver.

•   Another vehicle was hit by a chunk of concrete, but that driver was not injured. Another car swerved to avoid being hit and drove off the road.

•   The Toyota and box truck drivers suffered minor injuries in the accident.

The fatal highway accident occurred at about 11 a.m., according to a report in the Modesto Bee.

California Highway Patrol officer Eric Parsons said the accident started when a northbound Toyota sedan, driven by 25-year-old Zhyan Wang of Turlock,  tried to move from the far left lane to the center lane of the highway just south of the Woodland Avenue overpass.

Wang’s vehicle sideswiped a box truck driven by 36-year-old Gabriel Icmat of Alameda. Icmat lost control of his truck and crashed into the concrete center divider, sending chunks of concrete flying through the air. The box truck flipped over and came to rest on the southbound side of the highway, near the center barrier. The Toyota came to rest in the northbound lanes near the center barrier.

One of the flying concrete chunks smashed through the windshield of a southbound Ford F-150 pickup truck. The driver, later identified as 52-year-old  Peter Mishchuk from Antelope (Sacramento County), was killed. His truck continued down the highway for about a quarter of a mile toward Kansas Avenue, where it hit the center barrier and stopped.

Another chunk hit the windshield of a southbound Stanislaus County vehicle driven by 54-year-old Wayne McConnell of Salida. He was not injured. A white car behind Salida’s county vehicle swerved to avoid being hit by the flying concrete and drove off of the right shoulder. The female driver of that car was not injured.

Wang and Icmat suffered minor injuries, according to the CHP.

Modesto Highway Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented highway accident victims and their families for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.

Three people were hospitalized after a Highway 29 crash in Lake County.

Three people were hospitalized with serious injuries Saturday after a head-on collision on Highway 29 in Lake County.

•   A woman lost control of her SUV on a rural highway, skidded and rolled across the center line into oncoming traffic.

•   An oncoming pickup truck hit the SUV head-on.

•   Both drivers and one of the passengers from the pickup truck were airlifted to a hospital with moderate to major injuries.

•   Alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the accident.

The rural highway accident occurred at 12:20 p.m., according to an article in the Lake County News.

The California Highway Patrol report stated that 47-year-old Annette Sykora-Finch of Hidden Valley Lake was driving her 1999 Ford Explorer southbound on Highway 29 at the time of the accident.

Sykora-Finch lost control of her vehicle south of Hofacker Lane and skidded across the double yellow line into the northbound lane of the highway, according to the CHP report.

The Explorer rolled over directly in the path of an oncoming 2000 Ford F250 pickup truck driven by 39-year-old Matthew Elliott of Lakeport. The pickup truck — which was carrying four passengers — crashed head-on into the Explorer.

Both drivers and one of the passengers, 35-year-old Shana Smith of Middletown, suffered moderate to major injuries, according to the CHP. All three were airlifted via helicopter to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, about 40 miles away. The exact nature and severity of their injuries was not stated in the news reports.

The other three passengers in the pickup truck — a 22-year-old woman and 15-year-old girl, both from Clearlake, and a 2-year-old boy from Lakeport — were transported via ground ambulance to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake  to be examined as a precaution.

The CHP report said all six people involved in the accident were wearing seat belts. Alcohol did not appear to be a factor.

Why Rural Highways are Dangerous

Only 23 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, but 57 percent of all motor vehicle accident fatalities occur on rural roads, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The NHTSA’s latest figures show that the fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled was 2.5 times higher in rural areas than in urban areas.

A large majority of car accident deaths in rural areas — 67 percent — occur on highways, where the speed limit is 55 mph or higher. In urban areas, the opposite is true: 68 percent of all fatal crashes occur on roads where the speed limit is less than 50 mph.

Rural highways often are only two lanes, which presents significant danger to motorists who use the oncoming traffic lane to pass at high speed.

Finally, hospitals are few and far between in rural areas. The risk of dying on the way to the hospital is significantly higher in a rural accident than an urban one.

Lake County Car Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented car accident victims and their families for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.

Three people were injured in a drunk driving accident on Highway 29 in Napa.

Three people were injured Wednesday night in a drunk driving accident on Highway 29 near the Darms Lane Vineyard in Napa.

•   A drunk driver in a 15-year-old pickup truck tried to pass a BMW on Highway 29.

•   The driver lost control of the truck and slammed into the side of the BMW. Both cars went off the highway.

•   The drunk driver, his passenger, and the BMW driver all were taken to the same hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

•   The drunk driver was arrested and taken to jail.

The rural highway crash occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m., according to a report in the Napa Valley Register.

California Highway Patrol Officer Garret Ray said 56-year-old Steven Perez of St. Helena was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

Perez was driving a 1997 Ford Ranger pickup truck northbound on Highway 29 when he tried to pass a 2003 BMW 325i north of Darms Lane.

As he attempted to speed past the BMW, Perez lost control of his pickup truck and sideswiped the car, knocking it off of the highway and into an oak tree.

The pickup truck went off of the road, rolled over, and finally came to rest on Washington Street, which runs parallel to the highway.

Both Perez and his passenger, 49-year-old Timothy Case of St. Helena, were injured in the collision. The driver of the BMW, 53-year-old Ana Vigil De Cerda of St. Helena, also was injured. Their injuries were said to be minor, but no information about the nature of the injuries was provided.

All three of them were transported via ground ambulance to Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa. Perez was treated and released into police custody. He was arrested on drunk driving charges and booked into the Napa County Jail, Ray said.

Why Rural Highways Are So Dangerous

Only 23 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, but 57 percent of all motor vehicle accident fatalities occur on rural roads, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The NHTSA’s latest figures show that the fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled was 2.5 times higher in rural areas than in urban areas.

A large majority of car accident deaths in rural areas — 67 percent — occur on highways, where the speed limit is 55 mph or higher. In urban areas, the opposite is true: 68 percent of all fatal crashes occur on roads where the speed limit is less than 50 mph.

Rural highways often are only two lanes, which presents significant danger to motorists who use the oncoming traffic lane to pass at high speed.

Finally, hospitals are few and far between in rural areas. The risk of dying on the way to the hospital is significantly higher in a rural accident than an urban one.

Napa Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented drunk driving accident victims and their families for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.

A pickup truck crossed into oncoming traffic on Route 28 and caused a fatal head-on collision in Carnelian Bay. (Photo: Sierra Sun)

A man was killed in a head-on collision Thursday when a pickup truck crossed into oncoming traffic on State Route 28 in Lake Tahoe‘s Carnelian Bay, about 15 miles southeast of Truckee.

•   A pickup truck crossed the center line on a mountain freeway and crashed head-on into an oncoming truck.

•   The driver who was at fault died at the scene. The other driver was hospitalized with major injuries.

•   Alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

The fatal highway crash occurred shortly before 11:45 a.m., according to a report in the Sierra Sun.

California Highway Patrol Sgt. Eric Strecker said a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that was traveling westbound at about 40 mph on the two-lane highway veered across the solid double yellow lines into the eastbound lane just east of Ridgewood Drive.

The Tacoma crashed head-on into an oncoming Toyota Tundra pickup truck that was traveling eastbound at about 40 mph, Strecker said. Both trucks slid off to the side of the roadway (see photo).

The driver of the Tacoma died at the scene. The other driver suffered major injuries and was transported to Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, where he was admitted for treatment.

Strecker said alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

The CHP withheld the identities of both drivers, pending notification of their families. Both vehicles were registered to addresses in Tahoe City, according to the accident report.

Why Rural Highways Are Dangerous

Only 23 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, but 57 percent of all motor vehicle accident fatalities occur on rural roads, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The NHTSA’s latest figures show that the fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled was 2.5 times higher in rural areas than in urban areas.

A large majority of car accident deaths in rural areas — 67 percent — occur on highways, where the speed limit is 55 mph or higher. In urban areas, the opposite is true: 68 percent of all fatal crashes occur on roads where the speed limit is less than 50 mph.

Rural highways often are only two lanes, which presents significant danger to motorists who use the oncoming traffic lane to pass at high speed.

Finally, hospitals are few and far between in rural areas. The risk of dying on the way to the hospital is significantly higher in a rural accident than an urban one.

Tahoe/Truckee Car Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented car accident victims for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.

A teen driver was speeding when he caused a head-on collision on a mountain highway in Lake Arrowhead. (Photo: Mountain News)

An Alhambra man was hospitalized Sunday after a teen driver who was speeding too fast to negotiate a curve veered into oncoming traffic and caused a head-on collision on Highway 18 in Lake Arrowhead.

 •   A 17-year-old was driving a Pontiac Firebird at high speed and could not negotiate a long curve on a mountain highway.

•  The Firebird veered into oncoming traffic and broadsided a Nissan Altima. The Altima driver was ejected from his car.

•   The Altima driver was airlifted to a hospital with major injuries.

The mountain highway crash occurred at 11:45 a.m., according to a report in the Mountain News.

California Highway Patrol officer Benjamin Baker said a 17-year-old driver from Crestline was traveling southbound on Highway 18 (Upper Waterman Canyon Road)  at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his 1996 Pontiac Firebird.

The teen, whose identity was withheld by the newspaper because he is a minor, was unable to negotiate a long, sweeping curve near Pohl Ranch Road, Baker said. The Firebird veered across the two-foot-wide center median into the northbound lane, where it slammed into the driver’s side of an oncoming silver 2002 Nissan Altima.

The impact caused both vehicles to spin out of control.

As the Altima careened across both northbound lanes, its damaged left front door flew open and the driver — 43-year-old Robert Luis Muñoz of Alhambra — was ejected from the vehicle. The Altima finally came to rest on the east shoulder.

Meanwhile, the Firebird also spun across the highway and crashed into a metal guardrail just beyond the east shoulder, according to  CHP investigator Andrew Myers.

Muñoz suffered major injuries, including extensive abrasions on his right side and head, Baker said.  He was airlifted via helicopter to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he was hospitalized for treatment.

Baker said Muñoz’s 14-year-old male passenger was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident and was not injured. He accompanied Muñoz to the hospital.

The teen driver of the Firebird and his 28-year-old passenger, Jose Emmanuel Yon Song, sustained minor injuries but neither was taken to a hospital, Myers said.

The CHP did not make any arrests and had not yet issued any citations as of Tuesday morning. The accident is still being investigated.

Lake Arrowhead Car Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented car accident victims for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.

Two drivers were hospitalized with major injuries after a head-on collision on Highway 12 in Napa. (Photo: Rohnert Park Patch)

Serious car accident: Two drivers were hospitalized with major injuries after one of them crossed the double-yellow lines on Highway 12/121  and crashed head-on into the other driver’s vehicle Saturday in Napa.

•   A car traveling on rural Highway 12/121 suddenly crossed the double-yellow line and veered into oncoming traffic.

•   The car crashed head-on into a pickup truck. The car caught fire.

•   Both drivers were trapped inside of their vehicles and had to be extricated by firefighters.

•   Both drivers were hospitalized with major injuries. One was airlifted to a Level II trauma center.

The rural highway accident occurred at about 4 p.m., according to a report in the Napa Valley Register.

California Highway Patrol Sgt. Gilberto Jose said 48-year-old Ione resident Stanley Hilton was driving a Mercury Cougar southbound on Highway 12/121 when, for unknown reasons, he crossed the double-yellow lines into the oncoming traffic lane  at Old Sonoma Road, near Cuttings Wharf Road.

The Cougar crashed head-on into a northbound Dodge pickup truck driven by 39-year-old Andrea Virdell of Rohnert Park, Jose said. The Cougar burst into flames. Motorists stopped and extinguished the fire, but Hilton was trapped inside the car, Jose said. Virdell also was trapped inside her vehicle.  Firefighters had to extricate both drivers.

Both drivers suffered major injuries, Jose said. Hilton was airlifted by CHP helicopter to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Virdell was taken by ground ambulance to Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa.

The exact nature and extent of their injuries was not known, Jose said.

Why Rural Highways Are Dangerous

Only 23 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, but 57 percent of all motor vehicle accident fatalities occur on rural roads, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The NHTSA’s latest figures show that the fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled was 2.5 times higher in rural areas than in urban areas.

A large majority of car accident deaths in rural areas — 67 percent — occur on highways, where the speed limit is 55 mph or higher. In urban areas, the opposite is true: 68 percent of all fatal crashes occur on roads where the speed limit is less than 50 mph.

Rural highways often are only two lanes, which presents significant danger to motorists who use the oncoming traffic lane to pass at high speed.

Finally, hospitals are few and far between in rural areas. The risk of dying on the way to the hospital is significantly higher in a rural accident than an urban one.

Napa Car Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented car accident victims and their families for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.