Segundo Napoles, 42, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident involving a suspected drunk driver the night of November 28, 2009, The Long Beach Press-Telegram reports. The fatal car accident occurred when a silver BMW M3 driven by 29-year-old Juan Garcia Sotello crashed into a 1997 Toyota Celica driven by Napoles on the transition road from the westbound 105 Freeway to the northbound 710 Freeway. The Toyota Celica hit the curb and overturned on an embankment and Napoles died at the scene. Sotello was taken to a local hospital with moderate injuries, but was later arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Segundo Napoles for their tragic, heartbreaking and untimely loss. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep this grieving family in your prayers.

Los Angeles DUI Car Accidents

Apparently this was the fifth fatality on Los Angeles County freeways since the Thanksgiving holiday period started. According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), three fatalities and 24 injuries involving alcohol-related car accidents were reported in Paramount, California. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 268 deaths and 5,169 injuries involving DUI car accidents occurred in 2007.

In this particular case, if Sotello is found to be guilty of driving under the influence, he could face serious criminal charges including vehicular manslaughter. Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious crime under California law. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle."

California Car Accident Laws

A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges. California Penal Code section 191.5 (a) states: "Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence."

Napoles' family would be well-advised to consult a truly reputed Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who has a stellar track record of financially pursuing drunk drivers. If the driver in this case does not have car insurance or has insufficient coverage, a knowledgeable car accident lawyer should advise the family about how their own car insurance policy will apply to a car accident case that involves an uninsured or underinsured driver.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Bookmark and Share