Pajaro, CA – According to KSBW, on the night of Saturday, July 9, 2024, seven people were injured in a collision near Pajaro involving DUI suspect 34-year-old Tristan Jeremy Madiclum Obligacion of Oakland. The incident took place around 11 PM, at the intersection of Salinas Road and Elkhorn Road.
Obligacion and four passengers were traveling southbound on Salinas Road when he allegedly veered into the northbound lanes and collided head-on with an oncoming car. The force of the impact caused the victim’s vehicle to overturn, leading to significant injuries among the occupants.
Obligacion and his passengers suffered moderate to severe injuries and were promptly transported to Navidad Medical Center for treatment. The second vehicle contained two passengers, one of whom was a minor. Both were taken to Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital for treatment of moderate to severe injuries.
The area where the crash occurred, Salinas Road at Elkhorn Road, is a rural region known for its agricultural backdrop and winding roads. The intersection, typically quiet and surrounded by farmland, became the scene of chaos as emergency responders worked to treat and transport the injured.
California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers arrested Obligacion on suspicion of driving under the influence. Authorities continue to investigate the crash, seeking to understand the full extent of the circumstances leading up to the collision.
Personal Injury Claims
When the actions of reckless drivers cause injuries to others, the cost of caring for those injuries should not fall on the victims. Filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider can offer compensation to help cover medical bills and the time taken off work to recover.
However, insurance companies have a vested interest in denying or minimizing claims. This is why the assistance of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can make all the difference.
Passenger Liability
The liability insurance that drivers carry is designed to cover accidental harm caused not only to those outside the vehicle but also to passengers within it. A driver is responsible for the safety of everyone in their vehicle.
While making a personal injury claim against someone who knew the victim personally can be emotionally challenging, the financial burdens following a vehicular accident can be substantial.
A skilled personal injury attorney can help grieving families seek proper compensation for their loss by navigating these complex issues and negotiating on the victim’s behalf with insurance companies, who routinely work to minimize the payout of any claim they cannot deny.
