The collision happened on Interstate 8, just west of El Cajon Boulevard, CHP says
LEMON GROVE, CA, (August 25, 2024) - It will take Lemon Grove local Ronald O'Neil months to recover from life-altering injuries he sustained during a suspected DUI crash on Aug. 25, according to a fundraiser created by her mother, Sherry Forchilli.
Lemon Grove local Ronald O'Neil was badly injured after his car was struck head-on by a driver traveling the wrong way along Interstate 8, just west of El Cajon Boulevard.
Forchilli says the GoFundMe account will help his son Ronnie pay for medical expenses as the injuries will keep him out of work for at least 4 to 6 months.
Based on preliminary reports, a Kia sedan traveling east in the westbound lanes at a high rate of speed crashed head-on into 34-year-old Ronald, who was going westbound on Interstate 8, just west of El Cajon Boulevard. The collision killed the Kia driver—a 49-year-old woman from Lakeside—at the scene, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Ronald was transported to the hospital with severe injuries to his ankle and back. He has since been discharged and is scheduled to undergo surgery on his ankle.
Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the crash, CHP said.
The investigation is ongoing.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Each year, motor vehicle crashes in this country kill roughly 36,000 people and injure 1.9 million more. 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.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined,” said Candice Bond, an experienced auto accident attorney and Managing Partner with Bond Legal.
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said Bond.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM
Ronald O'Neil may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim pending an investigation.
Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal, said, “Injured victims involved in a collision often seek a personal injury claim to cover the cost of medical bills, future medical care, loss of income, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.
“Insurance companies can be notoriously unconcerned with the mounting costs that an injured party may accrue. An attorney can help. We protect the victims of these tragedies daily, forcing the insurance companies to pay for their mistakes,” he added.
If you, a friend, or a family member have been injured at the hands of a hit-and-run or drunken driver, contact our national legal analysts Candice Bond and Stefano Formica for a free consultation for guidance
(Candice Bond, Managing Partner, and Stefano Formica, Of Counsel, at Bond Legal, are the national legal analysts for Newsline. 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).