Alcohol a Likely Factor in Deadly Crash Near Davis

Home » Alcohol a Likely Factor in Deadly Crash Near Davis
September 30, 2021
Edward Smith

Sacramento Man Killed Near Davis

In the early morning hours of Sunday, September 26, 2021, a 39-year-old Sacramento man was killed in a single-vehicle crash near Davis. Alcohol is suspected to have been a factor in the deadly incident.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the incident happened just prior to 3:00 a.m. on County Road 32B, which is east of County Road 105D.

Details of the Fatal Accident

While the exact details of what led to the deadly crash are not clear, investigators believe that alcohol impairment played a role in the Ford F-150 veering off the road and crashing.

Single Vehicle Fatal Crashes

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), 53 percent of motor vehicle crash fatalities in 2019 nationwide happened in single-vehicle crashes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) did an investigation into factors that tended to be present in single-vehicle accidents. Specifically, the study examined single-vehicle accidents in which the vehicle went off the road. Below are a few of the factors that were found to contribute to single-vehicle accidents:

  • Bad Weather. Single-vehicle accidents happen more when there are adverse weather conditions such as rain, sleet, fog, and snow. There are far fewer one-car accidents when the weather is clear.
  • Driver’s Age. Younger drivers aged 15 to 24 are more likely to be in a single-vehicle crash compared to drivers in all other age groups.
  • Alcohol Impairment. Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol are much more likely to get into a single-vehicle crash than are sober drivers. This is one of the many reasons not to drive impaired.
  • Vehicles with Passengers. Vehicles in which there is at least one occupant other than the driver are more likely to be in a single-car crash. This is likely because passengers cause distractions to the driver.
  • Driving at Night. More single-vehicle accidents happen at night than during the day. This is likely due to decreased visibility that could lead to abrupt evasive movements when an obstacle is noted. Or it could be the result of drowsy driving.
  • Male Drivers. In general male drivers, especially young male drivers, are in more single-vehicle crashes than are female drivers.
  • Excessive Speed. Speeding is a primary cause of all types of accidents, and that includes single-vehicle accidents where the vehicle leaves the road. Speeding often causes vehicles to leave the roadway in areas where there are curves in the road. Single-vehicle accidents with a speeding vehicle are far more common on curved roads than on straightaways.

Watch the YouTube video. The clip below is a vintage Australian PSA about single-vehicle crashes.

The Davis area single-vehicle accident appears to have, at least in part, been the result of alcohol impairment. Other factors that may have been involved could have been excessive speed, but that has not been definitely determined as the cause is still under investigation. The deadly crash also happened in the darkness. It is unknown if the roadway in the area of the crash was curved. 

Davis Personal Injury Lawyer

Hello. Thank you for reading our report on this tragic single-car crash near Davis. I’m Ed Smith, a Davis personal injury lawyer. For close to four decades, the skilled injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com have been advocates for injured Davis residents. When an accident is caused by a negligent motorist, the injured party can seek financial compensation. Our firm helps in that regard while you focus on your physical recovery. To receive compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice after a car crash, give us a call at (530) 392-9400. From outside the local area code, feel free to use our toll-free line: (800) 404-5400.

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Photo: by Prateem Gautam on Unsplash

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