[02-12-2023] Santa Clara County, CA – One Struck and Killed by DUI Driver in San Jose Two-Vehicle Collision

One person was killed following a two-vehicle hit-and-run collision involving a suspected DUI driver in San Jose, Santa Clara County, on Sunday evening, February 12, 2023.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal crash occurred shortly before 11:00 p.m. on the northbound Interstate 680 Freeway south of Hostetter Road.

A GMC Sierra pickup truck driven by 49-year-old Martin S. of Fremont was reportedly speeding northbound on I-680 north of Berryessa Road when it struck the rear end of a Ford Focus. The Ford lost control and slammed into the center divider’s concrete wall. Martin also lost control and veered off the road.

CHP officials arrived at the scene to find an unconscious person who died inside the Ford in the carpool lane. The truck was discovered along an embankment on the highway’s right-hand shoulder. The driver was spotted leaving the scene after the collision.

The authorities contacted Martin at his Fremont residence and took him into custody for hit-and-run and driving under the influence. No further details on the identity of the killed driver were immediately available.

For roughly four hours, the deadly crash closed at least three lanes of northbound I-680 near the Berryessa Road onramp.

Fatal Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

In 2019, 10,142 people were killed in the United States due to drunk driving, with 949 of those deaths occurring in California. That accounted for 3.1% per 100,000 population in the US and 2.4% in California. In 2014, 26.3% of all road deaths in the state were caused by drunk driving (and 28.1 percent nationwide).

Although the rate of drunk driving and the number of deaths related to it have decreased since the 1980s, millions of drunk drivers still cause issues on the roads every year, according to a second report. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits for drivers in California are set at 0.08.

What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident

You should contact the authorities immediately if you’ve been involved in a DUI car accident. Answer inquiries in a factual, trustworthy, and non-assumptive manner. The victim may feel obligated to provide an apology, even if they were not at fault. Such behavior can be used against a claim by the insurance company.

By making a formal request to the appropriate authorities, you can obtain a copy of the report. Fill out a quick form on our site to have us request it on your behalf. We will begin processing your claim as soon as we receive this report. Contact us to know the strength of your case in a free, no-obligation consultation.

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers for Victims in Santa Clara County

In California, those injured or killed as a result of a drunk driver can file a personal injury or wrongful death case to seek financial compensation. Please get in touch with us as soon as possible if you or a loved one has been hurt or killed and you need assistance negotiating a fair settlement offer with the insurance company.

Our trusted Santa Clara County drunk driving accident victim lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have extensive experience advocating for accident victims, with awarded compensation totaling $750 million. Call (888) 488-1391 now or click the “Do I Have a Case?” on our website to set up a free consultation with one of our attorneys.