Crash Near California Oaks Road and Skyview Ridge Intersection
MURRIETA, CA, (August 07, 2025) - Authorities say an impaired driver caused a crash Thursday afternoon in Murrieta that claimed the life of an 88-year-old woman.
Patricia Garner was killed in a collision after a pickup truck ran a red light near the intersection of California Oaks Road and Skyview Ridge in Riverside County.
According to police, a 39-year-old pickup truck driver was traveling west on California Oaks Road around 4:35 p.m. when he allegedly ran a red light at the intersection near Skyview Ridge, colliding with a sedan in the intersection.
The sedan’s driver, identified as Patricia Garner, was transported to a nearby hospital, where she died from her injuries.
Police said the pickup driver had one of his children in the vehicle during the crash. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI gross vehicular manslaughter, DUI causing injury, and child endangerment.
FATAL DUI ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
Despite crackdowns throughout this country, impaired drivers remain a threat to innocent, law-abiding citizens such as Garner.
Her death underscores the dangers of drunk driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 30 people die each day in the United States in drunk-driving crashes, which amounts to one person every 50 minutes. More than 10,000 people die in drunk driving crashes each year.
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 of the pickup driver.
Candice Bond, an experienced DUI accident attorney, was interviewed and provided her thoughts on incidents such as this one.
“Separate from criminal charges, a victim’s family may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal and a national analyst for The Legal Advocate. “In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a grieving family during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that drunk drivers are held accountable for their reckless actions.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of the investigation, the family of Patricia Garner 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 either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in a person's death,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, family members are often left with the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist.”
If a reckless driver has caused injury or death to you or a loved one, Candice Bond is available for a no-cost consultation to help you understand your options.
(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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