Drunk Driver Causes Fatal Accident Near Galt

Woman Killed on Highway 99 Near Mingo Road

A suspected drunk driver was placed under arrest following a number of collisions that occurred on July 18 that cost the life of a Galt woman, aged 65. The initial collision involved a Stockton man, age 25, who turned unsafely in his Ford Mustang along northbound Highway 99 and collided with the barriers and center median near Mingo Road at around 5:14 a.m. Officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the man showed signs of intoxication and was placed under arrest following a DUI check.

Details of the Drunk Driver Accident

When the driver of the Mustang crashed, pieces of plastic and metal debris fell onto the highway. A short while later, an Ione woman, 63, was driving in the northbound lanes in her Toyota Corolla and hit the metal debris. She then pulled over on the side of the highway. Shortly afterward, a Galt woman, age 65, hit the debris in her Chevy Malibu and also pulled off onto the shoulder near the Ione woman’s Toyota.

Galt Woman Killed When Driver Swerves to Miss Highway Debris

Both of the women got out of their vehicles and discussed the accident. After the discussion, the Galt woman who had been driving the Malibu was walking back to her car. At that same moment, a 43-year-old man in a Toyota Camry tried to swerve to avoid the roadway debris and ended up hitting the woman, which threw her into a field nearby. Sadly, she was passed away at the scene of this tragic traffic collision. 

Fatal Traffic Collision Under Investigation

The deceased woman’s identity was released by the coroner’s office as Debra Arnette Jackson. The 43-year-old driver of the Camry, who tragically collided with Ms. Jackson, remained at the accident scene and cooperated with authorities investigating the crash. He was released later.

Filing a Claim for Wrongful Death

When a family member has died because of a negligent driver, they might be able to place a claim for wrongful death. By doing so, they can not only avoid the financial distress that comes with the sudden loss of a loved one but can hold the at-fault party responsible for their actions. At AutoAccident.com, we handle all varieties of traffic collisions, including accidents involving a drunk driver, and work hard to obtain the compensation the family or injured party deserves.

What Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Some of the areas where compensation can be recovered following a wrongful death claim include:

  • The cost of the funeral and burial can be recovered.
  • Wages the decedent would have earned up to their time of retirement, including pension, insurance and other benefits are recoverable.
  • Loss of inheritance can be recovered.
  • If there are children in the family, recovered damages can include the loss of training, care and parental guidance.
  • A spouse can recover the loss of consortium, moral support and affection caused by the loss of the decedent.
  • The value of the decedent’s household services is recoverable. These are things the deceased person used to do to help out around the home such as mowing the grass, gardening, auto repairs, childcare and others.
  • In some cases, the family can ask for punitive damages to be awarded. This is allowed in California when the death was especially egregious or intentional. Your injury attorney can tell you whether your family could request punitive damages if your loved one was lost due to a drunk driver.

Galt Wrongful Death Lawyer

I am Ed Smith, a Galt wrongful death lawyer. Lives are changed when a loved one perishes in an accident, especially if it wasn’t their fault. If this happened to your family, you may want to find out if you can file a wrongful death claim. Contact us for our compassionate, free and friendly advice at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. We can be reached online also.

We’ve helped Galt residents since 1982 in getting fair compensation for all types of car accidents, wrongful deaths, traumas such as brain injuries and more. 

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