Alleged drunk driver veered into oncoming lane near Deer Creek Road
December 07, 2025 | Malibu, CA
A tragic head-on collision claimed the life of Julian Jiminez, a 53-year-old chef with over 20 years at Paradise Cove, on Dec. 7 along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.
Julian Jiminez, 53, died when his truck collided head-on with a vehicle driven by an allegedly impaired motorist on Pacific Coast Highway near Deer Creek Road in Malibu.
What Happened in the Crash?
Authorities report that Jiminez was en route to his restaurant job around 7 p.m. when a vehicle driven by a suspected impaired motorist veered into his lane. The crash occurred near Deer Creek Road, resulting in a fatal crash involving Jiminez's truck.
- Location: Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, near Deer Creek Road
- Time: Approximately 7 p.m. on Dec. 7, 2025
- Vehicles Involved: Jiminez's truck and an oncoming vehicle
- Fatalities: Julian Jiminez and the suspected impaired driver
- Injuries: One passenger from the second vehicle hospitalized
- Contributing Factor: Alcohol impairment, per California Highway Patrol
The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the incident, focusing on the role of intoxication.
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Impaired driving remains a leading cause of roadway fatalities, severely compromising a driver's judgment, reaction time, and coordination. Even if someone believes they are not under the influence, alcohol or drugs can drastically elevate crash risks.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of 10,850 individuals lost their lives annually in alcohol-impaired driving crashes between 2012 and 2021.
Year Range |
Annual Average Fatalities |
Source |
|---|
2012-2021 |
10,850 |
NHTSA |
Key Causes |
Impaired Driving Percentage |
Federal Highway Administration |
Alcohol-Related |
About 30% of fatal crashes |
NHTSA |
These figures underscore the urgent need for awareness and stricter enforcement to prevent such devastating outcomes.
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, where impaired driving leads to loss of life, legal professionals emphasize accountability and support for affected families.
“Drunken and drugged drivers face criminal charges after accidents causing harm or death,” noted Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal. “Beyond criminal proceedings, victims' families may seek compensation via civil lawsuits against the at-fault party.”
Bond further highlighted the role of advocacy: “Attorneys can provide compassionate guidance during tough times, safeguarding rights and ensuring reckless drivers face consequences for their actions.”
Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal, added: “Wrongful death occurs when negligence or wrongdoing results in a fatality. In vehicle crashes from unsafe, aggressive, distracted, speeding, or impaired driving, families often pursue civil claims against the responsible driver.”
- Independent investigations are essential to assess blood-alcohol levels and other factors.
- Families may claim compensation for medical costs, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
- Civil actions complement criminal charges, holding parties accountable.
Pending investigation outcomes, Jiminez's family could explore a wrongful death claim.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The ongoing inquiry by authorities aims to uncover additional elements, such as precise impairment levels.
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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).