Deadly collision happened on Benton Road at Van Gaale Lane, CHP says
FRENCH VALLEY, CA, (November 10, 2024) - A woman accused of driving while intoxicated caused a crash that left a Murrieta resident dead Sunday night in unincorporated French Valley north of Temecula, officials said.
Trayce White, a 53-year-old Murrieta local, was fatally injured after her car was hit by a suspected drunk driver along Benton Road in unincorporated French Valley Sunday night, officials said.
The victim—identified as 53-year-old Trayce White—died from injuries 15 minutes after the collision.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a BMW driven by a 27-year-old Spring Valley woman was traveling eastbound on Benton Road around 8:15 p.m. when she disregarded a stop sign at the intersection of Van Gaale Lane and slammed into White's Camry. Both vehicles sustained significant damage due to the impact and came to rest in the roadway.
The BMW's driver, police said, was booked at the Cois Byrd Correctional Facility. She faces a host of charges, including DUI causing bodily injury.
This is an ongoing investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol is always dangerous, not only for intoxicated drivers but for other people on the road. Crashes involving DUI drivers are 100% preventable.
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.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, said that it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their rights, while ensuring that a driver who does not obey traffic laws is held accountable for their actions,” Bond added.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Trayce White may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.
“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one,” said Bond, a national analyst for Newsline.
“If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve.”
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed at the hands of a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, our national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation 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).