Two 23-year-old women, who were fatally injured in a Vista DUI collision, have been identified by local authorities as Susana Orozco and Erica Oliva. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the fatal crash occurred the morning of August 13, 2010, when a Jeep Cherokee driven by 33-year-old Debbie Sumi, struck a Nissan Altima bearing Orozco and Oliva. In addition to the two woman, another 34-year-old passenger in Sumi's car, was also killed in the crash. Sumi has been booked on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my heartfelt sympathies to the families of all the deceased victims in this case. They will certainly be in my prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

In Vista, seven fatalities and 348 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In San Diego County, 246 people died and 13,527 were injured due to car accidents during the same year.

DUI Laws in California

It is illegal in California to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher under California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a). A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges. California Penal Code section 191.5 (a) states: "Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence."

Liability Issues

An experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer in such cases will be able to advise families of deceased victims about their legal rights and options. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will be able to explain how the family's car insurance policy might apply to a case where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.

Have you ever been involved in a car accident where the at-fault driver did not have car insurance or was underinsured?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.

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