[02-20-2023] Sutter County, CA – Mother and Child Killed, Teenager Injured After Head-On Crash Due to DUI Driver

A mother with her 16-month old son were killed, while a 15-year-old boy was hospitalized after a head-on crash involving a DUI driver in Sutter on Monday night, February 20, 2023.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the deadly two-vehicle head-on collision due to drunk driving occurred just before 10:30 p.m. on State Route 20, east of Acacia, west of Yuba City.

Francisco J. was driving an eastbound 2021 Chevrolet pickup truck when he veered over the double yellow lines and collided head-on with a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, killing the 25-year-old driver and her baby.

The teenage passenger was taken to a hospital after sustaining major injuries. No further updates on his current condition were immediately available.

The suspect driver allegedly attempted to flee the scene of the collision. He was then arrested and charged with DUI causing injury or death and vehicular manslaughter, among others. He was found to have two and a half times the legal alcohol limit.

The fatal crash resulted in a lengthy and arduous closure of the route.

Fatal DUI Accident Statistics

Drunk driving was responsible for 10,142 deaths in the United States in 2019. Only in California, the dead toll is at 949. Rates in this state were 2.4 per 100,000 people, which was lower than the national average of 3.1. Drunk driving contributed to 26.3% of all traffic fatalities in the state and 28.1% of all road fatalities in the United States in that year.

There has been a decline in fatalities due to drunk driving since the 1980s, according to a second research, but the millions of inebriated motorists on the roads still remain a problem.

In California, operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 or above is unlawful. Drunk drivers pose a threat to other motorists and pedestrians because they lack the mental and physical faculties necessary to safely operate a motor vehicle.

What to Do After a DUI Accident

If an automobile accident occurs, it is imperative to contact emergency services and the authorities at once. Do not make any assumptions when answering questions from law police or insurance companies. Victims may feel compelled to apologize, even if they had no part in the incident. A claim could be denied by the insurer if the insured engaged in such behavior.

In order to obtain a copy of the report, please contact the relevant authority. Please complete the online form so that we may submit your request for you. We will go to work on your case as soon as we receive the report. Fill out the online form on our site and one of our skilled attorneys will review your insurance claim at no cost and with no obligation to hire us.

DUI Accident Lawyers for Victims in Sutter County

Everyone who suffers harm or loss as a direct result of another person’s drunk driving in California has the right to submit a claim for damages. Contact us immediately if you or a loved one has been hurt or murdered and you need assistance negotiating a fair settlement offer with the insurance company.

Our trusted Sutter County drunk driving accident victim lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have extensive experience advocating for accident victims, with 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.