Victorville man Charged After Lancaster DUI Crash Kills Child
LANCASTER, CA, (July 31, 2025) - A 9-year-old boy tragically died and a 14-year-old girl was seriously injured following a suspected DUI crash Thursday evening in Lancaster, authorities said.
Christian Terrell Powell, 23, of Victorville, was involved in a two-vehicle crash that tragically claimed the life of a child Thursday evening in Lancaster, authorities said.
The California Highway Patrol reported that the collision occurred near the intersection of 200th Street East and East Avenue G-8. A Dodge Challenger, driven by 23-year-old Christian Terrell Powell of Victorville, allegedly crossed into the opposite lane and struck a 2025 Honda head-on.
The Honda, operated by a 19-year-old Lancaster resident, had two passengers—both children. The boy later succumbed to his injuries, while the girl remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
Powell was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and is being held at the sheriff’s Lancaster station. Authorities continue to investigate the crash.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
The federal government has taken extensive measures to highlight the perils of impaired driving; however, far too many drivers continue to drink and drive. The deaths or life-changing injuries that occur as a result of drunk driving are all preventable. Over the 10-year period from 2012 to 2021, about 10,850 people died each year in drunk driving car accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
An independent investigation will be required to learn other potential factors in the case, including the results of a test or tests to determine the blood-alcohol content levels of the driver.
“Drunken and drugged drivers are subject to criminal charges following an accident or collision that causes harm or kills another person,” explained Candice Bond, a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “Separate from criminal charges, the family of a victim may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party,” said Bond.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a victim during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that drunk drivers are held accountable for their reckless actions,” added Bond, an experienced DUI accident attorney.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation results, the family of the young victim killed in the crash may be entitled to a wrongful death claim for medical and funeral expenses, loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when a person or entity engages in a wrongful or negligent act that leads to someone’s death,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“When fatalities result from reckless behavior such as impaired, distracted, or aggressive driving, surviving family members may have grounds to pursue a civil case against the responsible party in order to seek justice and accountability.”
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).