[04-14-2023] Stanislaus County, CA – One Man Killed, Three Young Boys Injured in DUI Solo-Car Crash in Waterford

An adult man was killed while three young boys sustained injuries in a DUI single-vehicle crash north of Waterford in Stanislaus County on Friday night, April 14, 2023.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal crash occurred at about 9:45 p.m. on Ellenwood Road just north of the Oakdale-Waterford Highway.

A 26-year-old driver was reportedly traveling southbound on a Ford Mustang when he struck a tree after failing to negotiate a curve and letting the vehicle veered onto the east shoulder.

The driver and an 8-year-old male passenger were thrown from the car. The man was declared dead at the site, while the boy was flown to the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento with serious injuries.

Two additional passengers, boys ages 6 and 8, were transported via ambulance to the same hospital as a precaution. They were all from Waterford. The Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District said the vehicle caught fire after the boys exited it.

CHP stated that the driver and the seriously injured boy were not wearing seatbelts and that alcohol contributed to the crash.

Waterford Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers for Victims

The legal system in California is there to help those drunk drivers had hurt. Contact us, the best drunk driving accident lawyers in California, if you or a loved one has just been wounded or killed and needs assistance with an insurance claim.

One of our attorneys will review your case at no cost, outlining the following steps and discussing any factors that may influence the settlement offer.

Our trusted Waterford drunk driving accident victim lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have extensive experience and recognition advocating for accident victims, with awarded compensation totaling $750 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.

What to Do After a DUI Accident

Accidents caused by drunk drivers are a common cause of litigation for large insurance companies. Always remember that the insurance company is not on your side. They are looking out for their financial interests first and foremost, and not necessarily yours.

The insurance sector devotes significant resources to ensuring that its employees always put the needs of their customers first. After a significant accident caused by a drunk driver, your insurance company may try to contact you. Never give in to coercion of any kind. They are not looking out for your best interests, so you shouldn’t trust them. Here are pieces of advice from our California DUI accident attorneys on negotiating with insurance companies after a DUI-related accident.

• Do not panic. Don’t let your emotions distract you; keep a level head.
• Put your car somewhere secure and out of traffic if you can.
• Call 911 immediately if there are any injuries or substantial damages to vehicles.
• Collect information from all parties involved in the incident, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance details.
• Do not apologize or accept guilt even if you believe you were at fault. Who is at fault should be determined by the police and insurance companies.
• If you or anyone involved in the incident has injuries, check out immediately.
• Get in touch with your insurer right away and give them the details of what happened.
• When interacting with insurance adjusters, it is vital to be truthful about the situation at hand.
• Keep track of important documents like police reports, hospital bills, and insurance notifications following an accident.
• Consult an accident attorney for advice and representation if you have questions about your legal options or are facing legal action.

Fatal DUI Accident Statistics

Drunk driving was responsible for the deaths of 10,142 individuals in 2019. There were 949 fatalities in California attributed to DUI that year, or 2.4 for every 100,000 residents. The death rate was 3.1% per 100,000 people in the country.

Drunk driving is a significant cause of death in California, with a fatality rate of 26.3%. The average across all of America is 28.1%.

Thousands of drunk drivers continue to endanger themselves, other motorists, and law enforcement, despite a study showing a decline in fatalities and accidents related to drunk driving throughout the 1980s.

The legal blood alcohol concentration limit in California is 0.08. Drunk drivers pose a threat to pedestrians and other motorists due to their impaired judgment and reaction time.