Olga Quiroz, 37, was seriously injured in an Orange County truck accident after a truck tractor driven by a suspected drunk driver crashed into her backyard and struck her. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the truck tractor, which was operated by 44-year-old William Michael Davis, was speeding westbound in the 11000 block of Woodbury Road, the morning of February 12, 2010. The 20,000-pound tractor then crashed into a driveway, knocked down trees and a block wall before striking the woman who was in her backyard. Quiroz was pinned under the truck's tire and was taken to a hospital with leg injuries.

Truck Driver Possibly Under the Influence

My heart goes out to Olga Quiroz, the victim of this horrific accident. Apparently, her 11-year-old son, Kevin Merced, saw her getting hit by the truck. Quiroz was also with her 2-year-old daughter at the time. But thankfully, the little girl was uninjured. I wish Quiroz the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. This family will certainly be in my prayers.

I truly hope that the driver, Davis, is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Officials say he was involved in another hit-and-run accident in Garden Grove before he caused this one. About 45 minutes before this incident, Davis struck a vehicle at the intersection of Euclid Street and Trask Avenue. The woman, whose car was hit, followed the truck driver, showed up to the second accident scene and identified him as the hit-and-run driver. Davis was arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving.

DUI Statistics and Laws

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four fatalities and 77 injuries involving DUI car accidents in Garden Grove. In Orange County as a whole, alcohol-related traffic accidents claimed 62 lives and injured 1,492 people during the same year.

It is unusual for commercial truck drivers to be involved in these types of brazen hit-and-run and drunk driving accidents, especially in a residential area. I would be curious to find out what this driver's blood alcohol level was at the time. Under California Vehicle Code Section 23152, it is illegal for commercial drivers to operate their vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.04 percent or higher. That limit is 0.08 percent for drivers of non-commercial vehicles.

Liability Issues

If this driver is found guilty of drunk driving and determined to have been at fault for causing Quiroz's serious injuries, both he and his employer could be held liable for the accident and injuries. Davis and his employer could also be liable for damages caused in the other hit-and-run accident. Victims in such cases would be well-advised to get in touch with a skilled Orange County personal injury lawyer, who has successfully held drunk and negligent drivers responsible for their actions.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

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