Nevada County, CA – According to ABC10, in the early hours of Sunday, April 21, 2024, a suspected DUI crash resulted in the injury and arrest of 23-year-old Isabella Christmon and the unfortunate death of her passenger, 23-year-old Kasey Patrick.
The California Highway Patrol responded to the scene after receiving reports of the crash at approximately 2 AM along Highway 49, located north of Oak Drive.
Preliminary investigations by law enforcement revealed that Christmon was driving a 2016 Volkswagen Passat northbound when she attempted to navigate a right curve. Unfortunately, the vehicle veered off the side of the highway, striking several oak trees as it descended a steep hillside embankment before coming to a halt approximately 45 feet away from the road.
Tragically, her passenger, Patrick, lost her life at the scene of the accident. Meanwhile, Christmon sustained major injuries and was subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities arrested Christmon on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Wrongful Death Claims
Readers should remember that any statement from a news outlet that may appear to suggest fault in a vehicular accident might prove to simply have been reporting the opinions of law enforcement based on preliminary investigations that may not be borne out by later evidence. All parties should be considered innocent until proven guilty.
While no amount of money can bring back those lost in a roadway fatality, the injury of their loss is often accompanied by the insult of an unanticipated financial burden for those they leave behind in the form of medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to support any dependents of the deceased.
The insurance that drivers are required to carry does not only cover harm done to those outside of their vehicle. Passengers may be owed legal compensation when they come to harm at the hands of their driver.
While this can be emotionally challenging when there is a relationship between the parties involved, a skilled personal injury attorney can help grieving families navigate these issues and then negotiate with insurance companies to seek proper compensation for their loss.
