Multiple-Vehicle Crash on SR 99 Caused by Reported Impaired Driver
A DUI accident in Sacramento on May 15 that resulted in a fatality ended up with the arrest of a 19-year-old Roseville resident. The collision occurred around 1:48 a.m. along northbound SR 99 just south of the eastbound Florin Road off-ramp, according to the police report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The young man, driving a Chevy Silverado, was going north on the highway at a speed of more than 80 mph when he neared traffic that was moving slower.
Driver Veers Right and Then Left Across the Highway
The Chevy driver lost control of his pickup, which went off the road and struck a sign and chain-link fence. The vehicle then veered left back onto the road, crossed the northbound lanes, and hit the center divider. A passenger in the pickup was ejected when the vehicle struck the center divider.
Head-On Collision Follows Initial Accident
A Honda Odyssey heading north along the highway, was in a head-on collision with the pickup. A short time later, another Sacramento man, 35, who was heading north, tried to avoid colliding with the Honda and pickup and ended up crashing into the center divider. Two of the vehicles were removed from the DUI accident scene as evidence. The lanes were reopened to traffic at about 4:02 a.m.
DUI Accident Casualties and Fatality
The man driving the Honda, 32-year-old David Jerome Smith Jr., passed away at the accident scene. The passenger riding in the pickup suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to Kaiser South for additional treatment and evaluation. The driver of the pickup also suffered moderate injuries and was transported to a hospital. A GoFundMe page has been created on behalf of Mr. Smith and his family to help cover final resting expenses.
Driver Placed Under Arrest
Police contacted the driver of the Chevy Silverado at the hospital, where he was assessed for intoxication. It was determined the driver was intoxicated, and he was arrested following the DUI accident. He was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol and felony DUI.
Wrongful Death Claims
After a loved one is unexpectedly lost in an accident caused by a negligent driver, the family is consumed with grief, confusion, and other emotions. The last thing on their minds is filing a wrongful death claim. However, when faced with the high cost of end-of-life expenses and a need for justice for their loved one, they often realize that filing for wrongful death can accomplish two things – helping to bring them a sense of closure and justice and avoiding the financial stress they may face.
My injury attorneys and I work hard to recover damages in a wrongful death claim and have handled many of these cases successfully. We empathize with your loss and understand what you are going through. There is no replacement for your loved one, and the family needs time to grieve without facing other worries.
What Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The following damages can be claimed by filing a wrongful death lawsuit:
- If the individual was working, lost wages they would have earned until retirement
- Funeral and burial expenses
- If the individual was married, loss of consortium, comfort, and love
- The loss of guidance, support, and nurturing of the children
- Punitive damages may be awarded through filing a survival action if the negligence was egregious or intentional
Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. Phone me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for my compassionate, free and friendly advice if your family lost a loved one to wrongful death. I would be honored to answer your questions and tell you what options are open to you. You also have the option to contact me online.
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Since 1982, we’ve helped many people in Northern California in acquiring the compensation they deserve for claims involving wrongful deaths, all types of traffic collisions, government claims, and others.
Photo attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/tea-lights-candles-light-2223898/
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