[05-11-2023] San Bernardino County, CA – Young Mother Killed, Two Children Injured After Head-on DUI Crash in Hesperia

A 36-year-old mother, Lisette V., was killed, and her two children, aged 6 and 12, were injured after a head-on DUI crash in Hesperia on Thursday evening, May 11, 2023.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to the crash involving two cars around 6:31 p.m. on Highway 395 between Poplar and Main Streets, south of Main Street.

The 41-year-old Adelanto resident, Jose V., reportedly drove his Chevy Suburban SUV south on Highway 395 when he headed into the oncoming northbound lanes, colliding head-on with the female driver of the white Toyota Prius.

When authorities arrived at the scene, they discovered that the Victorville female resident, Villasenor, was trapped in her vehicle. She suffered severe injuries in the crash and was extricated from her Toyota. The young boy and girl sustained moderate to severe injuries.

Two Mercy Airships landed on the highway, airlifting two critically injured people to trauma hospitals, while the third victim was transported by ground ambulance.

Unfortunately, the mother was pronounced dead at the hospital despite life-saving measures.

The suspect was not injured in the collision. Authorities determined that Vargas had been drinking alcohol and was over the California legal limit during the crash. In addition to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, Vargas was also charged with felony DUI.

Investigations are ongoing into the fatal accident.

Reliable Drunk Driving Accident Victim Lawyers in Hesperia

Injuries caused by DUIs can leave victims frustrated, doubtful, and afraid. If you are injured in a collision, the driver who caused the collision is legally responsible. Medical costs and lost wages could cause severe financial hardships for the injured party.

California law protects those injured in drunk driving accidents, despite the challenge of preventing every accident.

Our skilled Hesperia drunk driving accident victim lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have extensive knowledge and experience representing victims of DUI accidents. Our firm has recovered over $750 million in compensation.

Get a free consultation with one of our attorneys by calling (888) 488-1391 or filling out our “Do I Have a Case?” form.

What Should You Do After a DUI Accident?

DUI accidents can result in physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial hardship. You must defend your rights, safety, and health if you are involved in such accidents. To handle its aftermath effectively, follow these steps:

• Check your body for injuries and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Examine the condition of the other parties involved.
• Report the collision to the authorities. Investigators will determine whether or not the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Find out the name, contact information, license plate number, and insurance information of the driver at fault.
• You should take photos of the accident site, including the damaged cars and any injuries you and the other victims have sustained.
• Inform your insurance company of the accident and provide all the necessary information.
• We can assist you with DUI accidents if you contact one of our attorneys. Lawyers in our firm will do their best to protect your rights and ensure you receive your due compensation.

Fatal DUI Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 37 people are killed in drunk driving accidents in the United States every day, or one every 39 minutes. In 2020, there were 11,654 traffic fatalities due to drunk driving, a 14% increase from the previous year.

According to a study conducted by the California DUI Management Information System, there was a 5.8% increase in fatal alcohol-related collisions between 2016 and 2017. When people drive while intoxicated, they endanger themselves and other road users. Furthermore, drunk drivers waste two billion gallons of fuel each year, harming the environment.

In 2019, there were 10,142 drunk driving deaths in the United States, with 949 in California alone. It results in a rate of 2.4 per 100,000 population in the state compared to 3.1 nationally. Drunk driving was responsible for 28.1% of traffic fatalities in the United States in 2014 and 26.3% of deaths in California.