Driver Arrested in Hit-and-Run Incident
Police say that a teen driver suffered serious injuries during a hit-and-run accident in Lake County on Sunday, May 12, 2019. Officers of California Highway Patrol (CHP) say that they suspect the collision was caused by a driver who was intoxicated and left the scene of the crash. This driver was located during accident response and arrested on charges related to hit-and-run and DUI. The injured teenager, a 17-year-old resident of Middletown, received major trauma during the incident. Updates on the teen’s condition have not yet been provided by hospital officials.
Crash Details
The accident took place at around 5:30 p.m. on Highway 175 a few miles south of Clearlake. A 31-year-old Middletown man had been driving a 1992 Toyota pickup truck westbound on the highway when his vehicle drifted into eastbound lanes. After entering oncoming traffic, the pickup struck an eastbound 2006 Nissan Altima. The two vehicles reportedly collided just east of the intersection at Socrates Mine Road.
Response
When police officers arrived at the collision site, they found that the pickup driver had walked away from the accident. CHP conducted a search for the man in the nearby area and discovered him hiding in a patch of bushes. The man reportedly attempted to run but was caught shortly after. Whether or not the pickup driver suffered any injuries was not reported.
Responders say that they discovered the teenage driver had not been wearing a seatbelt when the accident took place. Medics determined that the teen had suffered major trauma and called for a helicopter ambulance to rush him to the Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa. Specific details about the teen’s injuries were not reported.
DUI and Liability
When drivers operate their vehicles under the influence of intoxicants, they make a conscious decision to put the lives of others in danger. Because of this, DUI drivers are considered negligent in accidents and can often be made to pay for the damage their decisions have caused. This can be accomplished by filing a personal injury case against the driver and/or their insurer. Filing such a case can help families cover the cost of surgeries, medications, ambulance rides, hospital stays, physical therapy appointments, and other losses related to accident injuries.
While drunk drivers are considered negligent after an accident, they may not be the only liable party. Businesses or individuals that supplied the driver with alcohol or access to a vehicle knowing that they would drive drunk can also sometimes be considered negligent parties and held liable to pay for damages as well. To learn more about getting fair compensation from those who are responsible for your injuries, it is best to speak directly to a Clearlake personal injury lawyer who has experience handling cases similar to yours. A good lawyer will be able to listen to the details of your situation and provide you with advice on how you can proceed with an injury claim.
More Blogs from Clearlake Personal Injury Lawyer, Ed Smith
- Two Injured in Clearlake DUI
- What are Clearlake Personal Injury Lawyers?
- Clearlake Truck Accident Leaves One Injured
Clearlake Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Clearlake personal injury lawyer. Crashes can have major consequences. If you or your loved one was hurt in a traffic accident, please reach out to me and get my free, friendly advice. I am available at both (800) 404-5400 and (707) 564-1900.
My law firm has served people in the Clearlake area for more than 37 years. Find out more about our history of successful advocacy by viewing our settlements and verdicts and by browsing through our many outstanding reviews on:
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