[11-26-2021] Kern County, CA – Three People Killed After a Deadly DUI Crash on the Weedpatch Highway

Three people were killed after a deadly head-on crash involving a suspected drunk driver on early Friday morning, November 26, 2021.

The deadly collision transpired at approximately 2:27 a.m. in the southbound lanes of SR-184 on the Weedpatch Highway, north of Smith Road.

A Jeep Cherokee was initially traveling in the southbound lanes but later crossed into the opposite lanes and collided head-on with a northbound Toyota Corolla.

The Corolla driver, and their two passengers, sustained fatal injuries in the accident. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Jeep Cherokee driver was later identified as 38-year-old Marcia L. She was seriously injured in the crash and was taken to Khan Medical for treatment.

Authorities later determined that she was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. She has been placed under arrest.

The case is currently under further investigation. Witnesses that can give more information about the crash are urged to call CHP Bakersfield at (661) 396-6600.

Fatal DUI Crash Statistics

One of the most dangerous things a driver can do is get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They could put their own lives at risk, as well as the lives of other drivers on the road.

Drunk driving can have a lasting and devastating impact on the victims’ lives. Unfortunately, the number of drunken driving incidents in the United States continues to climb.

Approximately 30 people are murdered in drunk driving events in the United States every day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In the United States, drunk driving is responsible for roughly 29% of all motor vehicle accident deaths.

Here in Kern County, drunk driving is a pervasive problem. 23ABC News reports that Bakersfield ranked 22nd on a list of America’s 25 cities with the highest rate of drunk driving.

Kern County experienced about five drunk driving incidents per 100,000 residents. And according to Bakersfield Now, 2018 saw the highest number of drunk driving arrests in Kern County since 2012. This suggests that the problem of drunk driving here in Bakersfield has been getting worse in recent years.

Law enforcement agencies continue to work hard to enforce DUI laws in our town. A supervising deputy district attorney also told Bakersfield Now that his office is attempting to raise community awareness of the problem. These efforts are an important step toward providing consequences for drunk drivers in the criminal court.

The financial penalties of a jury award or settlement almost always result in increased insurance premiums for the drunk driver.

Bakersfield Accident Lawyers for Victims of DUI Crashes

For the victim’s family, the loss of a loved one in a terrible DUI accident can be heartbreaking and difficult to deal with. People’s lives may be affected for the rest of their lives by the trauma and loss they have endured. They may not be able to bring their loved ones back to life, but they can pursue financial restitution and legal redress due to the tragedy.

Victims of DUI accidents demand compensation. At our law company, we are dedicated to assisting those wounded or who lost a loved one in obtaining the full amount of compensation they are entitled to.

Arash Law only hires the top California car accident lawyers. After a car accident of any kind, let us fight for your legal rights.

By hiring an experienced Bakersfield accident attorney from Arash Law as soon as possible, you can relieve the stress of dealing with insurance claims and paperwork. More importantly, you will know that your legal right to compensation will be aggressively defended. Call Arash Law today at (888) 488-1391 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.