Accident at Manning Avenue and Hill Avenue claims life of Kingsburg resident, the coroner's office says
ORANGE COVE, CA, (October 21, 2024) - One person was killed and multiple others injured in a suspected drunken driving crash outside of Orange Cove Saturday night, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Eli Lopez, a 27-year-old resident of Kingsburg, was fatally injured after her car was rear-ended by an alleged drunk driver outside of Orange Cove Saturday night, the CHP said.
The Fresno County Coroner’s Office identified the fatality victim as 27-year-old Eli Lopez of Kingsburg.
The crash happened at the intersection of Manning Avenue and Hill Avenue in Fresno County just after 11 p.m. CHP investigators say a Honda Civic traveling eastbound on Manning was approaching a Honda Accord stopped at the posted stop sign. The Reedley resident, who was behind the wheel of the Civic, failed to slow down and rear-ended the Accord, causing it to catch fire. A third vehicle stopped on the opposite side of the intersection was hit by the Civic, according to officers.
Tragically, Lopez—the driver of the Accord—died as a result of injuries in the car.
A female passenger in the Accord was taken to the hospital for treatment. Three male passengers of the Civic were also hurt.
The driver of the Civic was arrested on multiple charges, including DUI resulting in death.
This is an ongoing investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol is always dangerous, not only for intoxicated drivers but for other people on the road.
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.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, said that it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their rights, while ensuring that a driver who does not obey traffic laws is held accountable for their actions,” Bond added.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Eli Lopez may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.
“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one,” said Bond, a national analyst for Newsline.
“If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve.”
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed at the hands of a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, our national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation 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).