Fairfield Fatal Collision Hearing
I’m Ed Smith, a Fairfield car accident lawyer. Recently, a man from Suisun City accused of driving under the influence when he caused a deadly collision on Highway Interstate 80 in Fairfield last year was in court at a preliminary hearing.
The man, a 46-year-old Fairfield resident, was arrested on two counts of DUI and causing bodily injury in addition to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. The man currently remains out of government custody since posting bail.
Accident Overview
The accident resulted in fatal injuries for an 18-year-old woman from San Pablo, Breanna McKneely, as well as the severe injury of three individuals including the defendant. The collision happened on March 26, 2016, just prior to 8:00 p.m. on the eastbound side of I-80 close to the Cordelia truck weighing station.
Recollections from a Good Samaritan
At the hearing, Dujuan Pines, 34-year-old Fairfield man whom Presiding Judge E. Bradley Nelson called a “good Samaritan,” recounted what he remembered of the incident.
Pines said that he had been on his way home to Fairfield after working in Oakland when he noticed McKneely. She had been on the side of the road using her phone next to her car that appeared to have a flat tire. Pines then decided to stop to help the woman, parking about 20 feet in front of her Ford Mustang and repairing her tire with tools he had in his truck. After repairing the tire, Pines returned to his vehicle and noticed McKneely heading toward him on foot, asking Pines if he could jump her vehicle’s battery.
Pines agreed to jump the Mustang and recalled that as he was doing so, McKneely stood by the open driver’s door while McKneely’s sister sat in the driver’s seat. It was at this moment that the three individuals were struck.
The Impact
Pines indicated that he did not see Crawley’s vehicle coming because his vision was blocked by the uplifted hood of his truck. He recalled that the impact sent him into the air where he noticed that McKneely was also airborne before he landed near the passenger door of his truck and lost consciousness. Pines described seeing McKneely about 50 feet in front of her vehicle as well as Crawley’s vehicle wrecked on the center divide after he regained consciousness.
Another Samaritan
Bryce Wilson, who saw the accident take place and stopped to help the injured individuals, also testified at the hearing. Wilson said that he saw Crawley’s vehicle speeding toward the vehicles parked on the right hand shoulder and indicated that he saw a large shower of sparks as Crawley’s Mustang collided with the parked vehicles and spun out toward the center divide.
Wilson called for help after realizing that the individuals had been seriously injured.
Driving Under the Influence
California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer John Dyer also testified at the hearing, indicating that another CHP Officer informed him that Crawley had been driving drunk at the time of the accident.
We extend our deepest sympathies to all those affected by the careless actions of drunk drivers.
Related Content by Ed Smith
Fairfield Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Fairfield car accident lawyer. Negligent drivers can cause tragedies and should be held accountable. If you or a loved one has received serious trauma in a collision, please call me at (707) 564-1900 for free and friendly advice and toll free at (800) 404-5400. You can also reach me online here.
I’ve been helping Fairfield’s residents who are going through personal injury and wrongful death cases for over three decades.
Visit Avvo, Google, and Yelp to read reviews and comments from my previous clients.
I’m also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Trial attorneys of this group have won verdicts and negotiated settlements worth over $1 million.
View my Past Settlements and Verdicts here.
Visit AutoAccident.com for practical and current info regarding auto accidents and personal injury. Also, check out my blog for local car accident news.