Fatal crash happened on Road 140, south of Avenue 266
TULARE, CA, (June 14, 2025) - A suspected drunk driving crash early Saturday in Tulare County claimed the life of a 70-year-old man and left his wife seriously injured. Family members identified the victims as Richard Musselman and his wife, Tess.
Richard Musselman lost his life, and his wife, Tess, sustained serious injuries in a suspected DUI crash early Saturday in Tulare County, authorities said.
The couple was reportedly heading home from The Green Olive, where they worked, when the tragic crash occurred.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Visalia office, the collision happened around 2:20 a.m. on Road 140, just south of Avenue 266. A 2019 Honda Civic traveling northbound veered into the southbound lane, striking a 2024 Toyota Corolla and then a 2022 Nissan Altima. Richard, who was driving the Nissan, was pronounced dead at the scene. Tess suffered major injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital, according to a GoFundMe page organized by family.
The driver of the Toyota was not injured. Authorities have arrested the Honda driver on suspicion of DUI.
The crash remains under investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Despite the clear presence of signage and warnings meant to prevent wrong-way driving or speeding, impaired drivers may still make critical errors that lead to devastating collisions.
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), someone is killed or injured in a drunk driving crash every 85 seconds in the United States—a stark reminder of how serious and frequent these incidents are.
In cases involving suspected DUI, an independent investigation is often necessary to uncover all contributing factors, including toxicology reports that determine the driver’s blood alcohol content.
“An attorney can serve as a compassionate advocate for victims and their families,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal and a seasoned DUI accident attorney. “In addition to supporting those affected, an attorney helps ensure drunk drivers are held fully accountable for their reckless actions and that victims' rights are fully protected.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the family of Richard Musselman may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. These claims can help recover compensation for funeral and medical costs, loss of love and companionship, emotional suffering, and other damages caused by the tragic loss.
“A wrongful death occurs when a person’s life is taken due to the negligent or wrongful actions of another individual or entity,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “In cases involving drunk driving, distracted driving, or other forms of recklessness, families have the right to seek justice through a civil action.”
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).