A DUI suspect has been arrested after a deadly collision claimed a young man’s life Saturday night in eastern Tulare County. The tragic accident occurred just north of Tulare on Saturday night July 24, 2021.
ABC30-TV reported the accident happened around 10:45 p.m. along Road 92 near the intersection of Avenue 260. The California Highway Patrol says a 21-year-old man from Tulare was traveling north on Road 92 when he veered into oncoming traffic and hit a pick-up truck head-on.
The driver of the pick-up, a 19-year-old man from Visalia, was killed in the collision. A 19-year-old passenger in the first vehicle, a woman from Hanford, suffered major injuries and was rushed to the hospital. Her condition has not been released.
The 21-year-old driver of the first vehicle was booked in jail on charges of drunk driving and manslaughter.
DUI Accident Dangers in Tulare County
Drunk drivers take a terrible toll on victims, their family members, and the community each year in Tulare County. When drivers choose to get behind the wheel while impaired, they risk causing frightening collisions with other drivers who might get no warning that a reckless motorist is nearby.
The California Transporation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) tracks these traffic accidents each year. In 2020, they recorded 257 total accidents involving drunk drivers in Tulare County. Those accidents led to 36 lost lives and left 335 people injured.
The tragic numbers were very similar to the statistics from the year before. In 2019, there were 259 total alcohol-related accidents in Tulare County. 25 people lost their lives in those accidents and another 350 people suffered injuries.
Each year, law enforcement embarks on campaigns to warn drivers of the dangers of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They also set up checkpoints to catch offenders and pull them off of Tulare County roads. These actions can help, but the best preventative measure is always the choice for those intending to consume alcohol to plan ahead to stay out of the driver’s seat and give their keys to someone else.
Help for Families After Tulare County Accidents
Accidents can leave families to cope with the loss of a beloved family member or worry over the condition of an injured victim. In these cases, victims and close relatives are encouraged to seek support from an at-fault driver’s car insurance provider.
For families who have lost a loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit can secure money to pay for ambulance fees and the expense of a funeral service. Families should also earn assistance after losing the guidance and financial support the victim would have provided over the years to come.
For surviving victims hurt through no fault of their own, the costs of all medical expenses can be covered with a claim for damages. This claim could also ask an insurance company for help with every other hardship the victim and his or her family have faced.
If you or a family member is ever the victim of a serious crash, be sure to speak to an attorney in your area. You can visit our page about auto accidents in and around Tulare for more information.
