[01-28-2023] Napa County, CA – Drunk Driver Crashed Car into Tree near St. Helena, Killed One Man

A Fallbrook man was killed after the vehicle he was a passenger on hit a tree due to a DUI driver north of St. Helena in Napa County on Saturday evening, January 28, 2023.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal single-vehicle crash occurred around 11:30 p.m. on the southbound lane of Highway 29, just south of Big Tree Road.

The deceased victim was in the front seat of a 2019 Toyota Tacoma pickup driven by Ryan C., 26, of Palm Springs. The truck reportedly veered off the right side of the road and smashed into a tree, fatally injuring the passenger. His identity was withheld until the next of kin was notified.

The driver sustained minor injuries and was treated at Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center. Officers took him into custody on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence. He was held in the Napa County jail on a $500,000 bail.

The collision is still being investigated, and CHP stated it is attempting to get in touch with any witnesses who may have any information on the crash.

Fatal Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

According to official reports, a total of 10,142 individuals perished in the United States due to drunk driving in 2019, with 949 of those deaths occurring in California. The resulting rate was 2.4 per 100,000 people (a 3.1 rate in the whole country). 26.3% of all fatal traffic accidents in the state included drunk driving (and 28.1 percent nationwide).

While studies have shown declines in both the incidence of drunk driving and the number of deaths it causes since the 1980s, another report has discovered that the problem still affects millions of drivers annually.

In California, it is against the law to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or above. Drunk drivers are a danger to other road users and pedestrians because they cannot control their behavior effectively while drunk.

What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident

In the event of a car crash caused by a drunk driver that may have resulted in major injuries or fatalities, it is imperative that the appropriate authorities be notified as soon as possible. The best response to a question is a straightforward one, not one based on your assumptions. Even though they had no part in the incident, victims may feel obligated to express regret and apologize. If you ever file a claim, the insurance company can use this information against you.

If you ask for a copy of the police report, you will receive it without any trouble. If you fill out the form on our website, however, we will make the application for you. Once we have received the requested information, we will begin processing your claim. Get in touch with us so that we can look into how valid your claim is.

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers for Victims in Napa County

All California residents, including those injured by drunk drivers, have the right to file a civil lawsuit in order to hold the responsible party liable for any damages that may arise from the incident. If you’ve been injured or someone you love has been killed, and you need help filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit and negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance provider, please get in touch with us.

Our trusted Napa County drunk driving accident victim lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have extensive experience and accolades advocating for accident victims. Our clients have been awarded compensation totaling $500 million.

Call (888) 488-1391 now or click the “Do I Have a Case?” on our website to set up a free consultation with one of our attorneys.