[03-16-2025] San Joaquin County, CA – Three Killed, Two Injured After Suspected DUI Crash on Highway 12 Near Highway 88 Split

Three people were killed, and two others were injured following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 12 in San Joaquin County on Sunday afternoon, March 16, 2025.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 3:40 p.m. when a Ford Fiesta carrying five occupants was traveling eastbound on Highway 12.

Authorities suspect the driver was under the influence when they lost control of the vehicle near the Highway 88 split.

The Fiesta was then broadsided by a Toyota Tacoma. CHP reported that none of the Fiesta’s occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

The impact resulted in the deaths of three people inside the Fiesta, including the 25-year-old female driver, a 25-year-old male front-seat passenger, and another 25-year-old male rear passenger. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

The two remaining Fiesta passengers were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Their conditions remain unknown. The Tacoma’s driver, a 55-year-old man, sustained minor injuries.

Authorities continue to investigate the crash.

Contact Our Skilled DUI Accident Victim Lawyers In San Joaquin County

A DUI accident can leave you dealing with physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial burdens. When a negligent driver causes harm, they are responsible for covering medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. However, securing fair compensation can be challenging without the right legal support—our experienced personal injury attorneys are here to help.

Under the leadership of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., our DUI accident lawyers are prepared to assess your case, explain your legal options, and assist in gathering important documents like police reports and medical records.

Our San Joaquin County DUI accident attorneys are committed to protecting your rights and fighting for the compensation you deserve. As one of California’s top personal injury law firms, Arash Law has recovered over $750 million for accident victims.

Call (888) 488-1391 today or fill out our “Do I Have a Case?” form to schedule your free consultation and get the legal support you need.

What To Do After Being A Victim Of A DUI Accident

Anything you do immediately after being a victim in a DUI accident can significantly affect your physical and financial recovery. Follow these steps to protect your well-being and legal rights:

1. Stay calm and move to a safer area if you can. Assess your condition before checking other people involved.
2. Call 911 immediately so paramedics and local authorities can respond to the scene. This can also quickly alert nearby officers if the impaired driver is trying to commit a hit-and-run.
3. Don’t engage with the intoxicated or drugged driver. Their behavior may be unpredictable; let the police handle the situation with them.
4. If you’re able, take photos and videos of the scene. Capture the scene from different angles and highlight important details like visible injuries, property damage, road marks, debris from the accident, etc.
5. Politely request any witnesses to provide statements to the police. Ask for their phone number, as well, in case you need to contact them later.
6. Seek a thorough medical evaluation, even if you feel fine. Some injuries might not show symptoms immediately.
7. Consult our lawyers in San Joaquin County for DUI accident victims. The sooner you get legal representation, the better. Our attorneys can work immediately to protect your rights and preserve evidence.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

DUI Accident Statistics

According to the NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, in 2020, there were 11,654 fatalities resulting from motor vehicle traffic crashes involving at least one alcohol-impaired driver, accounting for 30% of all traffic fatalities in the United States that year. This marked a 14.3 percent increase in fatalities due to alcohol-impaired driving, rising from 10,196 in 2019 to 11,654 in 2020.

On average, one fatality related to alcohol-impaired driving occurred every 45 minutes. The age groups of 21 to 24 years and 25 to 34 years had the highest percentages of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes, with each group representing 26 percent of such incidents in 2020.

The highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers in fatal crashes was among motorcycle riders at 27%, followed by drivers of passenger cars at 23%, light trucks at 19%, and large trucks at 3%. Among the 1,093 traffic fatalities in 2020 involving children aged 14 and younger, 21 percent (229 fatalities) occurred in crashes involving alcohol-impaired driving.

Additionally, 67 percent (7,831) of the 11,654 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities involved crashes where at least one driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of.15 g/dL or higher. Notably, the rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes was 3.1 times higher at night compared to during the day in 2020.