Suspect Hits Andrew Rodriguez at Grand and Fairhaven Avenue Intersection
SANTA ANA, CA, (August 27, 2025) - A 39-year-old bicyclist was fatally struck by an alleged drunk driver Tuesday night in Santa Ana.
Andrew Rodriguez was fatally struck by an alleged drunk driver on Aug. 27 in Santa Ana.
Police reported that Andrew Rodriguez, of Wilmington, was crossing Grand Avenue at Fairhaven Avenue around 11:35 p.m. on Aug. 27 when he was hit. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver, 26-year-old Vanessa Anahi Picenavalos, was arrested on suspicion of DUI. Authorities said the accident remains under investigation.
FATAL DUI CRASH INVESTIGATION
Alcohol impairs a driver’s vision, judgment, coordination, and reaction times, making them less likely to see cyclists or respond appropriately to avoid collisions such as the one that took Mr. Rodriguez’s life.
According to the National Safety Council, there were 12,429 fatalities in alcohol-impaired driving accidents in 2023. More than 1,000 people are killed each year in California drunk driving accidents.
Candice Bond, an experienced DWI accident attorney, was interviewed and shared her thoughts on incidents like this one.
"Separate from criminal charges, a victim's family may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party, said Candice Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal. “Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a victim during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that drunken drivers are held accountable for their reckless actions.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIMS
The family members of Andrew Rodriguez may be entitled to wrongful death claims for medical and funeral expenses, the loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act that results in someone’s death,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “When vehicle fatalities occur due to unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, hit-and-run, or driving under the influence, family members often have the right to pursue a civil action against the responsible driver.”
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
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