Sacramento Drunk Driver Sentenced to 135 Years to Life
A Sacramento drunk driver was sentenced for the deaths of four people and injuries to others in a Contra Costa County accident. The accident occurred back in November 2017. The convicted man, who will be serving a sentence of 135 years to life, is Fred Douglas Lowe, a Sacramento resident, age 48. He was found guilty of seven felonies in the incident. The accident happened during the Thanksgiving holiday around 8:30 in the evening along eastbound Interstate 80, close to San Pablo Dam Road. I would like to extend my sympathy and condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident.
Details of the Accident
Lowe was driving drunk with a suspended license when his Mercedes struck a Nissan Rogue, according to the prosecutor in the case. The collision killed Daryl Horn, age 50 and his 14-year-old son, Joseph, as well as 52-year-old Troy Biddle and his son Baden, age 12. The Biddles were from Washington state and had driven down to visit the Horns for the holiday weekend. The driver of the Nissan, Jared Horn, survived the accident.
Accident Causes Additional Collisions
When the Nissan was struck by the drunk driver, it passed over the median into oncoming traffic, striking an SUV and sedan. This caused injuries to five other persons, including one child.
Sacramento Driver Flees Scene
The Sacramento drunk driver kept going before trying to flee by taking an off-ramp. His escape failed when he crashed his Mercedes into a vehicle that was parked. A hit-and-run accident that results in fatalities or injuries is considered a felony, punishable by jail time and heavy fines.
Lowe Had a History of Drunk Driving
It was found that at the time of the collision, the Sacramento drunk driver had a BAC level of 0.24. The legal limit for drunk driving is 0.08, and arguments have been presented to lower that to 0.05. In other words, he was three times over the legal limit. Lowe had been convicted of drunk driving five times previously and of driving with a suspended license, so he had a long history. In California, murder charges are allowed if a driver was previously convicted of drunk driving.
Accidents Involving a Drunk Driver
If you or a loved one was injured by a drunk driver or you lost someone dear to you, you may benefit from consulting with an experienced injury lawyer. The lawyer can help you deal with the insurance company. If their offer is insufficient, you may wish to pursue a personal injury claim for damages. In the event a loved one was lost, a wrongful death lawsuit can be pursued. No one should have to bear the brunt of accident injuries and financial loss when someone else caused the accident. By placing a claim for damages in civil court, you may also be compensated for the pain and suffering you went through or for the loss of your loved one.
Sacramento Drunk Drivers
The California Office of Traffic Safety reported that alcohol consumption was involved in 489 Sacramento traffic collisions in 2016. This placed the city of Sacramento as number one in drunk driving accidents. Only 965 drunk driving arrests were made in Sacramento this year, which put the city at number 9 out of 15 similarly sized California cities.
Dangers of Drunk Driving Accidents
Since inebriated drivers are less aware of their surroundings and have poor reflexes and judgment, traffic accidents are more likely to happen. Serious injuries occur when they crash into another vehicle. When a driver has been drinking, they are less likely to attempt to brake in an imminent collision. They may also fall asleep behind the wheel. This increases the speed of the vehicle and severity of impact.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Drunk drivers are the cause of many accidents and fatalities each year. If you were injured by a drunk driver, I would like to offer you my free and friendly advice. Please call me at (916) 921-6400. You can also reach me toll-free at (800) 404-5400, or through my online contact page.
I am a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. This group invites only the top lawyers around the country to join who demonstrate the highest legal excellence. In addition, I belong to the Million Dollar Forum. This group is only open to lawyers who’ve obtained in excess of $1 million for a client.
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I’ve upheld the rights of residents of Sacramento to fair compensation for their injuries for 37 years. This includes traumatic injuries, all types of car accidents and wrongful deaths.
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