[06-25-2025] Monterey County, CA – Two People Injured in Fiery Wrong-Way Crash on Highway 101 in Chualar

Two people were injured, one seriously, in a fiery wrong-way crash that shut down southbound Highway 101 in Chualar, Monterey County, on Wednesday night, June 25, 2025.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred just before 9:00 p.m. when a driver traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 101 collided head-on with two other vehicles.

The wrong-way driver’s car caught fire, with the driver still trapped inside. Emergency crews pulled the driver from the vehicle and transported them to the hospital with major injuries. Another person from a separate vehicle was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

CHP officials said alcohol or drug impairment is suspected as a factor in the crash. The incident is under investigation.

Contact Our DUI Accident Victim Lawyers In Monterey County, CA

A crash involving a suspected impaired driver can cause serious harm in just seconds. Victims often face painful injuries, unexpected medical bills, and emotional distress after these types of incidents.

Our DUI accident victim lawyers in Monterey County can help you understand your rights and what options may be available after a crash involving suspected alcohol or drug use. We can explain how these cases are typically handled and provide guidance to help you navigate the situation.

If you or a loved one were injured in a suspected DUI crash and want to learn more, call us at (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have a Case?” form.

Steps To Take After A DUI Crash

If you were injured in a crash involving a suspected drunk or drug-impaired driver, it’s important to act quickly and carefully. The steps below can help you protect your health, secure key information, and prepare for what may follow.

1. Get Immediate Medical Attention
   Call 911 or ask someone to do so if you are seriously injured. Even if your injuries seem minor, go to the hospital or urgent care as soon as possible. This ensures your injuries are documented and treated early.
2. Cooperate With Responding Officers
   When California Highway Patrol or local law enforcement arrives, share exactly what happened. If you saw the other driver traveling the wrong way, speeding, or swerving, explain this clearly. Officers will document these details in the collision report, which may include suspected DUI observations such as odor of alcohol or failed sobriety tests.
3. Do Not Engage With The Suspected Impaired Driver
   For your safety, avoid approaching or speaking to the driver if they appear intoxicated or aggressive. Stay in your vehicle or in a safe area until help arrives.
4. Take Photos And Videos If You Can
   If you are physically able, take clear photos of the crash scene, damage to all vehicles, visible injuries, skid marks, and the surrounding road signs. If the wrong-way driving occurred on a divided highway like Highway 101, capture that layout too.
5. Collect Witness Information
   Ask for the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the crash. Independent witness statements can be valuable, especially in DUI investigations.
6. Keep Detailed Records
   Save hospital discharge papers, doctor’s notes, ambulance bills, and insurance correspondence. Track how your injuries affect your daily life and employment. This documentation may be important if you choose to take legal action later.
7. Speak With A DUI Accident Victim Lawyer
   If you have questions about your rights after a crash involving a suspected impaired driver, a lawyer can explain the process and provide guidance based on the specific facts of your case.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

DUI Accident Statistics

Drunk driving continues to be a major cause of deadly crashes in the United States. In 2021, about 31 percent of all traffic deaths involved a driver who had been drinking. That means nearly one out of every three fatal crashes was linked to alcohol use.

Between 2020 and 2021, the number of people killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers went up by 14.2 percent, rising from 11,718 to 13,384 deaths. In comparison, total traffic deaths increased by 10.1 percent during the same time period.

In 2021, there were around 60,904 drivers involved in deadly car crashes. Of those, an estimated 12,762 drivers (21 percent) had a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit.

Motorcycle riders had the highest percentage of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes. About 28 percent of motorcyclists in deadly collisions had been drinking, followed by 24 percent of passenger car drivers, 20 percent of light truck drivers, and 3 percent of large truck drivers.

Tragically, alcohol-related crashes also affected children. Out of the 1,184 children aged 14 and younger who died in traffic crashes in 2021, 25 percent (294 children) were killed in crashes involving drunk drivers.