Bakersfield, CA — Another life has been lost following a crash involving an alleged drunk driver on East Truxtun Avenue on the night of September 28, 2024, according to KGET.
The second victim, an as-yet-unidentified man, and 47-year-old Lorena De La Torre-Luna of Bakersfield were both in a parked vehicle when the collision occurred.
The accident took place around 11:14 PM on the 1200 block of East Truxtun Avenue, near Miller Street, an area lined with local businesses and residential properties.
De La Torre-Luna’s car was parked along the north curb when a Dodge Durango, traveling westbound at high speed, violently rear-ended her vehicle. The impact left De La Torre-Luna with fatal injuries. Despite efforts by emergency responders, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her male passenger also sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he fought for his life for weeks before succumbing to his injuries. The two were reportedly sitting in their parked car when the crash happened, blindsided by the reckless actions of the other driver.
The driver of the Dodge Durango, 25-year-old Martin Alameda Sanchez, was detained by security personnel from a nearby business until police arrived. Court records indicate Sanchez was highly intoxicated, with blood-alcohol content levels of 0.257 and 0.262%, far exceeding the legal limit of 0.08%. He later told authorities that he drank a 12-pack of beer before driving and admitted to a prior DUI arrest in Oakland.
Sanchez is now facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Prosecutors have filed motions to amend the charges to reflect the second death, adding additional counts of murder and manslaughter. Sanchez, who has never had a driver’s license, remains in custody without bail.
Wrongful Death Claims
Even if a fatal accident doesn’t lead to criminal charges, families who lose a loved one can still file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This compensation can help cover medical bills, funeral costs, and lost income that the family depended on.
However, insurance companies will always try to pay as little as possible, making it difficult for families to receive the full amount they deserve. So, having an experienced personal injury attorney is essential to receive fair compensation and justice for your loved one.
California DUI Law
Section 23153(a) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) states that it is illegal for any driver to “Operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, as a result, cause bodily injury to someone else.”