Wrong-way driver causes fatal head-on collision along Highway 70, authorities say
YUBA, CA, (September 02, 2024) - A Monday morning crash in Yuba County involving a suspected DUI driver claimed the life of one person and left three others injured, officials said in a release.
Athena Hernandez Black, a 19-year-old Elverta resident, was seriously hurt in a DUI-related crash Monday morning along Highway 70 in Yuba County, according to authorities.
According to the California Highway Patrol Yuba-Sutter office, a white Buick sedan traveled onto Highway 70 northbound on the southbound McGowan Parkway offramp and began driving in the wrong direction. Shortly afterward, the Buick slammed head-on into a silver Toyota SUV driving south on Highway 70 in the southbound lane.
The Toyota's driver was killed in the crash, the CHP said in a report.
Athena Hernandez Black, 19, of Elverta, a passenger in the Buick, and a passenger in the Toyota were transported to the hospital with major injuries.
The Buick driver, who was herself hurt, faces multiple charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI causing injury.
This is an active investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Each year, motor vehicle crashes in this country kill roughly 36,000 people and injure 1.9 million more. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was the primary cause of fatal crashes in 2018, followed by the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication; failure to stay in the proper lane; failure to yield the right of way; and distracted driving.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined,” said Candice Bond, an experienced auto accident attorney and Managing Partner with Bond Legal.
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said Bond.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM
Athena Hernandez Black may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim pending an investigation.
Bond, a national legal analyst for Newsline, said, “Injured victims involved in a collision often seek a personal injury claim to cover the cost of medical bills, future medical care, loss of income, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.
“Insurance companies can be notoriously unconcerned with the mounting costs that an injured party may accrue. An attorney can help. We protect the victims of these tragedies daily, forcing the insurance companies to pay for their mistakes,” she added.
If you, a friend, or a family member have been injured at the hands of a hit-and-run or drunken driver, contact our national legal analyst Candice Bond for a free consultation for guidance.
(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).