DUI suspected in deadly wreck on State Route 76 just west of Melrose Drive, authorities say
OCEANSIDE, CA, (October 26, 2024) - A Saturday night crash in Oceanside involving two vehicles killed one person, who investigators say was traveling the wrong way, and injured another.
Stephanie Zamora, 20, was injured as a result of a two-vehicle crash involving a wrong-way driver Saturday night in Oceanside, according to authorities.
The incident happened along State Route 76 just west of Melrose Drive around 9:26 p.m.
According to police, a man in his 30s behind the wheel of a tan Buick Century was driving the wrong way when he collided with a white Honda Clarity driven by 20-year-old Oceanside resident Stephanie Zamora. The wrong-way driver died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision, officials said. Zamora was transported to Palomar Hospital in Escondido with non-life-threatening injuries.
Drugs and/or alcohol are suspected as contributing factors in the crash, police said.
The Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating.
WRONG-WAY CRASH INVESTIGATION
Zamora may face a long road to recovery, and the overall process can be overwhelming. However, a skilled auto accident attorney can compassionately guide victims through this challenging time while protecting their legal rights and best interests.
NTSB statistics reveal that as many as 75% of all wrong-way crashes result from a driver getting behind the wheel while under the influence.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, said it is imperative to conduct an independent investigation into cases such as this.
“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,” added Bond.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM
Pending the investigation results, Stephanie Zamora may have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Newsline, noted that the stress and worry following a serious injury could be overwhelming, disrupting all aspects of life, including family, work, finances, and overall quality of life.
“It is vital for victims to hire an attorney when filing a personal injury claim, which allows them to negotiate with an insurance company on behalf of a client,” she added.
“Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth. However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
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 analyst Candice Bond for a free consultation for guidance.
(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).