[01-28-2023] Tulare County, CA – DUI Driver Injures Several People, Including Pregnant and Three-Month-Old

At least six people, including a three-month-old child, a pregnant woman, and the DUI driver himself, were injured following two separate collisions in Visalia on Saturday evening, January 28, 2023.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the two different collisions caused by a suspected single DUI driver occurred at around 6:00 p.m. on northbound Road 108 south of Avenue 264.

Initial investigation revealed that Jeffrey M., 35, of Visalia, was traveling north on Road 108 at high speed behind a Toyota Rav4 that was also moving northbound. Jeffrey then sideswiped the Toyota with the front of his car for reasons still under investigation before driving away and fleeing the scene. The Toyota driver and two other occupants, including her three-month-old, all sustained minor wounds and were taken to a nearby hospital.

The suspect driver got involved in another collision, this time with two other vehicles, shortly after fleeing the scene of the first crash. A Toyota Camry carrying a pregnant woman and a Honda Civic were both traveling ahead of Jeffrey when he crashed into them.

The Camry and Honda drivers, and their passengers, all sustained minor to major injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital. The pregnant passenger had contractions during the crash, but nothing serious happened. The total number of victims involved remains unclear.

Meek was reportedly taken to a nearby hospital with minor wounds and later checked into the Tulare County Pre-Trial Facility for suspicion of DUI.

DUI Accident Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drunk driving causes roughly 10,000 deaths each year in the United States. Intoxication by alcohol or drugs contributes to about 20% of fatal car accidents annually.

About 2,000 people every year in California are killed and another 30,000 are injured as a result of such disasters. Drunk driving is already a major issue here. Drivers found while impaired by alcohol will face serious penalties.

When behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol, the driver is more likely to engage in reckless behavior, including speeding, swerving, and other acts based on poor judgment, putting himself and other drivers in danger. You should leave the location immediately if you suspect your safety is in jeopardy or feel uneasy about the situation.

What to Do After a DUI Accident

Don’t make assumptions or provide information to investigators before speaking with a lawyer. Victims of an accident in which intoxicated driving is suspected are strongly encouraged to seek legal representation without delay. Some innocent people involved in accidents may sincerely apologize while still in shock. If you do this, the insurance company will have additional grounds to deny your claim.

Please contact the police and ask for a report to be filed. Please fill out our online form if you prefer that we do this on your behalf. Requesting a report about a possible claim will not cost you upfront. Having such details will help us finalize your claim.

DUI Accident Lawyers for Victims in Visalia

In California, victims of drunk driving accidents can file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Please contact us if you want to discuss your case with one of our professional attorneys and want advice on negotiating a reasonable settlement with the insurance company.

Our trusted Visalia 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.