[10-13-2024] San Luis Obispo County, CA – One Dead, Two Injured After Multi-Car Pileup on Highway 101

One person died, and two others were injured in an early morning multi-car pileup in Nipomo, San Luis Obispo County, on Sunday, October 13, 2024.

At around 2:00 a.m., the California Highway Patrol received a call about a vehicle rollover on Highway 101 near the southbound Highway 166 off-ramp.

Authorities stated that a car driven by Dylan L. 20, of Orcutt, approached the rear of a 2012 Nissan Altima driven by an unidentified 30-year-old man from Santa Maria.

Dylan L. was driving at a “high rate of speed” when he collided with the Nissan, which was stopped behind another vehicle, a black GMC Sierra driven by Leticia F., 53, of Bakersfield.

Due to his unsafe speed, Dylan L. was unable to slow down or avoid the stopped traffic from the initial rollover. The impact pushed the Nissan forward to the GMC. Dylan L’s. car then veered onto the dirt median, colliding with a Chrysler Pacifica driven by Trisha N., 61, of Santa Maria.

The unidentified Santa Maria man was transported by ambulance to Marian Regional Medical Center, where he died from his injuries Sunday morning. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Cal Fire Deputy Chief Josh Taylor noted that fog was a contributing factor in the multi-car pileup. Two other individuals, Dylan L. and Leticia F. were treated for injuries at the scene. Dylan L.  was arrested following the crash, with authorities stating that alcohol was believed to be a factor in the incident.

As of Sunday evening, Dylan L.  was in custody at the San Luis Obispo County Jail, with bail set at $100,000. He faces charges of driving under the influence causing injury, DUI with a blood alcohol content of .08 or above, manslaughter, and gross negligence.

Call Our Respected DUI Accident Victim Lawyers In San Luis Obispo County

Feelings such as fear, wrath, or suspicion following a DUI accident are normal. The negligent party is responsible for paying the damages sustained by the victim, including medical bills, missed wages, and other financial expenses. Getting compensated for a DUI accident can be a challenge, but Arash Law can help.

Get legal advice from our experts in DUI accidents, under the direction of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., who can help you assess your case. Additionally, they can assist you if obtaining further information or a police report proves challenging.

Our respected San Luis Obispo County DUI accident victim lawyers will do everything possible to advocate for your claim and safeguard your rights. Being one of California’s largest law firms specializing in personal injury cases, Arash Law has successfully obtained over $750 million in compensation for clients.

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

Ways To Protect Yourself After Being A Victim of A DUI Accident In San Luis Obispo County

Insurance companies often handle claims related to accidents caused by drunk driving. It’s essential to understand that their primary concern is their financial interests—not your full and fair compensation. They are driven by profit, not by the well-being of you and your family.

After a serious DUI accident, you might receive a phone call or inquiry from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Be cautious when responding to these requests.

Our San Luis Obispo County DUI accident attorneys have compiled the following tips for dealing with insurance companies after a drunk driving crash:

1. Stay Calm And Contact The Authorities. Prioritize getting prompt medical care and immediately contact the authorities to report any injuries you’ve sustained.
2. Gather Information. Take photos of your injuries and any evidence of negligence, and document the incident thoroughly. Be sure to collect contact information from any witnesses at the scene.
3. Do Not Admit Or Accept Blame. In DUI cases, insurance companies often try to shift some of the blame onto the injured victim to reduce their liability and, consequently, the compensation they have to pay. Never admit fault or accept responsibility for the accident. The intoxicated driver should be held accountable for their actions. Avoid discussing fault with an insurance adjuster, as this is a common mistake following any vehicle accident.
4. Avoid Making A Statement. You are not obligated to provide a recorded statement to the insurance company immediately after the accident. Insurance adjusters may call you repeatedly, seeking a statement. Their goal is simple: to gather information that could be used against you during the claims process. Remain silent. Your words could be manipulated or taken out of context. Let your attorney handle all communications with the insurance company.
5. Avoid Early Settlement Offers. In DUI accident cases, insurers may struggle to completely avoid liability. As a result, they often attempt to minimize the amount of compensation they offer. One common tactic is to present a quick, lowball settlement to the victim. Do not accept a settlement that falls short of what you deserve. Let your DUI accident attorney negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
6. Do Not Sign Any Documents. Before signing any documents from the insurance company, seek legal advice. Insurers often ask injured individuals to sign a broad release of their medical records. They may claim that a document is ‘standard procedure,’ but their true intent is to gather information to reduce your compensation. You may not be required to provide full access to your records. Your attorney will ensure your rights are protected.
7. Work With Experienced DUI Accident Lawyers. You don’t have to face a large insurance company alone. A substantial amount is at stake in most DUI accident injury claims, and insurance companies will go to great lengths to minimize your settlement. To protect your rights, engage with skilled DUI accident attorneys in California before dealing with the insurance company.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

DUI Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving accidents in the US result in the deaths of 32 individuals every day, which is equivalent to one death every 45 minutes. In 2020, intoxicated drivers were responsible for 11,654 fatalities in traffic accidents, marking a 14% rise compared to the previous year.

In California, 949 individuals lost their lives in 2019 as a result of driving under the influence. This is 2.4 out of every 100,000 people, while the national rate is 3.1 out of every 100,000. San Luis Obispo County, in particular, reported 240 alcohol-related and at least 25 drug-related deaths and injuries in 2023, based on the latest data from the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS).