Nail Haddad, 38, of Rancho Cucamonga was killed in a San Bernardino DUI car accident involving a suspected drunk driver on the 215 Freeway the morning of May 21, 2009, the San Bernardino County Sun reports. Haddad was reportedly exiting the Baseline off-ramp in his Nissan Altima when the driver of a Chevy pickup truck hit him head-on. Haddad died at the scene. California Highway Patrol officers arrested 31-year-old Reuben Garcia on suspicion of driving under the influence. Garcia was apparently speeding north on the 215 Freeway driving in the wrong direction when he hit Haddad's car.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Nail Haddad for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Haddad. Please keep them in your prayers.

Car accident statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were 308 car accident fatalities and 9,920 personal injuries involving car accidents in San Bernardino County. Out of those 105 deaths and 1,174 personal injuries were reportedly alcohol-related.

It is not only irresponsible to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but there are serious legal consequences for doing so. California Vehicle Code section 23152 (a) states: "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." A driver whose drunk driving results in the death of another could 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."

This driver, Reuben Garcia, was not only speeding and driving recklessly, but he was on the wrong side of the freeway and probably too intoxicated to know it! The family of Nail Haddad would be well advised to retain the services of reputed California car accident lawyers with experience handling drunk driving cases. Garcia should be held civilly and criminally responsible for his actions. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased car collision victims may be able to file wrongful death claims, which will usually compensate them for funeral expenses, loss of wages, loss of companionship and other related damages. Skilled California personal injury lawyers will be able to advise victims and their families on an appropriate course of action.

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