[05-27-2023] Monterey County, CA – 33-Year-Old Woman Killed, 3 Others Injured Following DUI Head-On Collision in Salinas

A woman was killed, and three others were injured following a DUI head-on collision in Salinas on Saturday evening, May 27, 2023.

According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened in front of Hacienda Mexican Grill on North Davis Road at around 9:44 p.m.

A 16-year-old male drunk driver and his 31-year-old passenger in a silver BMW lost controlof the vehicle and crashed head-on into the victims, a 44-year-old male and a 33-year-old woman named Maria V. The victims were driving a Dodge Journey.

Viurquez-Benavidez was killed, while the vehicle’s driver sustained life-threatening injuries. Both were rushed to the nearby hospital.

The drunk driver and his passenger also sustained life-threatening injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital.

Dedicated DUI Accident Victim Lawyers in Salinas

As a result of their injuries, DUI accident victims may feel frustrated, confused, and fearful. It may be difficult for the victim to make ends meet as a result of medical bills and lost wages. What if you or a loved one were injured in a DUI accident? We will gladly assist you in filing a claim if you are the victim of a DUI accident in Salinas.

Our skilled Salinas DUI accident victim lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have extensive knowledge and background in representing DUI accident victims. Our firm has recovered over $500 million in compensation for our clients.

For a free consultation with one of our attorneys, call (888) 488-1391 or fill out our “Do I Have a Case?” form.

What Should You Do After a DUI Accident?

The effects of DUI accidents can range from physical injuries to emotional distress to financial difficulties. To effectively deal with the aftermath of such an accident, follow these steps:

• Examine your body for injuries and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Check the condition of the other parties involved.
• Notify the authorities of the collision. Investigators will determine whether the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Obtain the name, contact information, license plate number, and insurance information of the at-fault driver.
• It would be beneficial to take photos of the accident scene, including the damaged vehicles and any injuries you or the other victims sustained.
• Notify your insurance company of the accident and provide all pertinent information.
• Call us at (888) 488-1391 to learn how our drunk driving accident victim attorneys can assist you.

Fatal DUI Accident Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 37 people die 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 2019.

A study by the California DUI Management Information System found that fatal alcohol-related collisions increased by 5.8% between 2016 and 2017. Drunk drivers put themselves and others at risk.

Among the 10,142 drunk driving deaths in 2019, 949 occurred in California. As a result, the state rate is 2.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.1 nationwide. There were 28.1% of traffic fatalities in the United States in 2014 and 26.3% in California due to drunk driving.