Two-Vehicle Crash on Rancho Road
On the morning of Thursday, May 13, 2021, a man, a passenger in a 2012 Volkswagon Tiguan, sustained severe injuries after being ejected from the vehicle after it was involved in a crash. According to information from the Redding Police Department (RPD), two vehicles collided on Rancho Road near Shasta View Drive. Initial reports indicate the driver of the Tiguan was under the influence of drugs.
Details of the Accident
A call came into the Shasta Area Safety Communications Agency (Shascom) shortly before 7:00 a.m. with a report of a two-vehicle collision on Rancho Road. Evidence gathered during the investigation revealed that the Tiguan had been traveling west on Rancho Road, but for unknown reasons, the driver had drifted into the eastbound lane. At the same time, a Toyota Tundra was traveling east on Rancho Road. The Tundra driver tried to avoid the wayward Tiguan by moving to the side of the road, but despite his best efforts, the Tiguan struck his truck.
Following the initial impact, the Tiguan continued traveling westbound and headed down an embankment, rolling multiple times and ejecting the passenger. The Redding Police Department Traffic Unit has not yet completed its investigation, but police say that drugs were a factor in this crash. The Tiguan driver was arrested for DUI, resulting in bodily injury, and driving while addicted to narcotics. The Toyota Tundra driver escaped the incident without significant injuries.
RPD requests that anyone with further information regarding the crash contact their Traffic Unit.
Driving While Addicted to Narcotics
The driver of the Tiguan was allegedly charged under the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 23152(c). The CVC has several sections that relate to offenses involving drugs and alcohol. Section 23152 (c) states that it is against the law for someone who has an addiction to use any drug to drive a vehicle. Subdivision (c) states it does not apply to someone participating in a Health and Safety Code-approved narcotic treatment program.
Driving Under the Influence and Causing Bodily Injury
The driver of the Volkswagen Tiguan reportedly also faces charges of DUI that caused bodily injury. The section of the CVC that applies to this charge is 23153(f). Earlier subsections under CVC 23153 specifically refer to being under the influence of alcohol. However, subsection (f) states that it is against the law for anyone under the influence of any drug to drive and perform a negligent act or omission that results in bodily injury to another person.
Watch the YouTube video. The clip below, uploaded by NBC News, reports the upswing of drugged driving incidents nationwide.
Redding Personal Injury Lawyer
Thanks for visiting our legal blog and reading our report on this drug-related crash. I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer serving the Redding, California region. Unfortunately, impaired driving remains a significant concern on Northern California highways. Driving while drunk or on drugs is one of the primary causes of auto accidents that cause injuries and wrongful deaths. If you have been injured or your family has suffered a loss because of a negligent or impaired driver, the skilled injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com can assist you with compassion. To receive free and friendly legal advice, don’t hesitate to contact us at (530) 392-9400 or from outside the local area code. Please use our toll-free phone number: (800) 404-5400. Alternatively, you may send your inquiry via our online form.
For more than 38 years, our firm’s experienced attorneys have advocated for Redding residents who have suffered harm due to another’s negligence.
Photo Attribution: Pixabay
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