Fresno, CA – KSEE reports that a deadly crash on Kearney Boulevard early Sunday morning, November 3, 2024, led to the arrest of an alleged drunk driver who collided with a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle responding to the scene.
According to CHP, the initial incident occurred around 1:50 AM when a 21-year-old man driving westbound on Kearney Boulevard, near Fair Avenue, veered off the road, striking a large eucalyptus tree. The car immediately caught fire, and despite rescue efforts, the driver could not be extricated and was pronounced dead at the scene.
As CHP officers investigated, a separate vehicle, later identified as driven by an intoxicated driver, crashed into a CHP patrol SUV at the scene. Images from the crash site show significant damage to the front passenger side of the gray sedan and moderate damage to the rear driver’s side of the CHP vehicle. Fortunately, the officers were outside their vehicle and were unharmed.
The suspected drunk driver sustained minor injuries and faces DUI charges, while authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the initial fatal collision.
Liability in Single-Vehicle Collisions
In some cases, investigations may reveal that even in a single-vehicle accident, nearby drivers or unsafe road features share some responsibility. A personal injury attorney plays a critical role in sorting through these details to help victims and their families get the compensation they deserve.
Once liability is determined, the attorney can negotiate with insurance companies, who often try to reduce payouts. That means having legal representation can be vital to ensure victims receive fair compensation for their loss.
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.”
