Drunk Driver Causes Devastating Crash
Two people were killed, and multiple others were injured as a result of a deadly drunk driving incident that occurred in Pittsburg, California, on Monday, April 12, 2021.
At approximately 6:00 p.m., police officers were dispatched to a harrowing scene after reports came in of a collision between a Toyota Corolla and a Chevy Camaro in the vicinity of West Leland Road, east of John Henry Johnson Parkway.
A witness reported that the Camaro was being driven at a high rate of speed when the driver appeared to lose control of the vehicle and crashed into the rear of the Corolla. The impact then caused the Corolla to careen out of control and collide with a tree.
The driver of the Camero, Christian Vargas, was arrested on DUI charges.
The Community Grieves
One of the fatalities in the tragic incident was a young child – her name was Sela, and she was just 7 years old. On Tuesday, a memorial at the scene of the crash continued to grow as lines of cars dropped off balloons and flowers in remembrance of Sela and the other victim, 28-year-old Romero Castro.
The family had been on their way home from a nearby park when the drunk driver slammed into the Corolla. Sela had been a passenger in the back seat and was ejected from the vehicle, along with two of her younger siblings, who sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized. Mr. Castro had been driving the vehicle when the Camaro driver crashed into the Corolla.
Drunk Driver on Parole for a Prior Conviction
Christian Vargas was the reckless and drunk driver of the Camaro. He is 25 years old and was on probation for a previous DUI conviction. He was not injured in the crash. Police officers found an open bottle of tequila in the Camaro. Vargas was arrested at the scene and booked by Pittsburg police. He was subsequently transported to a detention facility in Martinez, where he is being detained on charges of felony gross vehicular manslaughter with intoxication, felony DUI resulting in injuries, and a probation violation.
The actions of Christian Vargas caused the wrongful deaths of two people, serious injuries to several others, and devastation to multiple families.
Deadly Drunk Driving
According to responding police officers, Vargas exhibited clear signs of impairment. However, even a small amount of alcohol can affect one’s ability to drive safely. Getting behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle after drinking is a serious crime. In California, the blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for a DUI charge is 0.08 percent. But that does not mean that any amount below that means you are safe to drive. Many impaired drivers will not even show signs of drunkenness, but reaction times and judgment may be adversely affected.
In this tragic case, terrible judgment, unsafe speeds, and alcohol led to tragedy and heartbreak for multiple grieving families.
Watch the YouTube video. Below is a news clip reporting on the incident.
Pittsburg Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for reading. My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Pittsburg personal injury lawyer. It saddens us to report on this tragic event. We refrained from using the word “accident” in this story because deadly drunk driving incidents are preventable. Were it not for the actions of Christian Vargas, families would not be grieving, and young people would not be struggling to recover from severe injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligent actions of another, our injury lawyers are available and can offer compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice. Call us at (925) 428-5220. From outside the local area, feel free to use our toll-free line: (800) 404-5400.
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Image by: https://pixabay.com/photos/tea-lights-candles-light-2223898/
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