[10-28-2023] Sonoma County, CA – One Infant Killed, Another Child Injured After DUI Single-Vehicle Crash on Highway 1 Near Sea Ranch

One infant was killed and another child was injured after a DUI single-vehicle crash near Sea Ranch in Sonoma County on Saturday night, October 28, 2023.

The California Highway Patrol responded to reports of the incident around 10:25 p.m. on Highway 1, north of Leeward Spur.

Upon the arrival of emergency teams, they found an infant with fatal injuries, along with a 4-year-old toddler with unspecified injuries.

Initial investigations revealed that the driver, 19-year-old Colton M., veered off the roadway while under the influence and crashed into a dirt embankment, causing their truck to roll over.

Colton M. has since been arrested and booked into Sonoma County jail for charges including felony DUI, gross vehicular manslaughter, child endangerment, and having an unlocked firearm in his vehicle.

Award-Winning DUI Accident Lawyers in Sonoma County

It is ideal to seek legal counsel from a personal injury attorney if you or someone you know has been involved in an accident due to another person’s negligence.

Our experienced DUI accident victim lawyers provide free initial consultations where we assess the specific circumstances of your case, explain the legal procedures involved, and consider essential factors that could impact the potential compensation you may be eligible to receive.

You can seek advice from our most trusted Sonoma County drunk driving accident victim lawyers at Arash Law, under Arash Khorsandi, Esq., to help you with your insurance claim or represent you in court proceedings effectively. We have recovered more than $750 Million for clients and are widely acknowledged for our success and reputation as one of California’s leading personal injury law firms.

If you want to speak with one of our lawyers, please call (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form.

What Should You Do After a DUI Accident?

Collisions caused by drunk drivers frequently result in physical, psychological, and financial harm. After the accident, you must exercise extra caution to protect yourself and your loved ones. This checklist will help you handle its aftermath:

1. Prioritize your safety: Check yourself for injuries and the condition of the other people involved.
2. Inform the police about the crash: A police investigation will be conducted to determine whether the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which would be vital to your claim.
3. Gather evidence: Get essential details such as the driver’s name, contact details, license plate number, and insurance information, as well as witnesses’ information. Take pictures of the accident scene, including the damaged vehicles and the victims’ injuries.
4. Report the accident to your insurance company: Provide them with the necessary information, and avoid exaggerating the details of the accident.
5. Call Our DUI Law Firm at (888) 488-1391: Please speak with our DUI accident lawyers. They’ll defend your rights and ensure you get the maximum compensation possible.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Fatal DUI Accident Statistics

In 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that drunk-driving crashes killed about 37 Americans every day, one every 39 minutes; drunk drivers are involved in 31% of all traffic-related deaths nationwide, with 13,384 deaths, up 14% from 2020. Since 2012, drunk driving deaths have averaged 10,850 per year.

NHTSA also stated that California recorded 1,370 alcohol-impaired-driving deaths in 2021, 32% of the 4,285 traffic-related deaths (roughly the same as the nationwide percentage of 31%). It is a 16% increase from 2020’s 1,180 recorded fatalities (30% of the 3,980 traffic-related deaths).

A BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) of 0.08% or higher if you’re over 21, and 0.01% or higher if you’re under 21, or at any age if you’re on DUI probation, is illegal.