A drunk driver going the wrong way on a freeway, caused a dangerous car accident, which killed Marcos A. Arredondo, 18, and 58-year-old Macrina M. Ocampo, 58, KCOY reports. The fatal DUI car accident occurred the morning of November 8, 2009 in Santa Barbara after the Honda Accord driven by Arredondo was struck head-on by a Mitsubishi Montero, which was traveling north on the southbound lanes of the Highway 101 in Goleta.

Two other passengers in the Honda suffered serious injuries and were taken to a local hospital. Ocampo was the third passenger of the Honda. The wrong way driver, who has not been identified, was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter.

I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Arredondo and Ocampo. In fact, the tragic car accident was witnessed by members of their family who were in a car ahead of them. That car had barely escaped hitting the wrong-way driver. This family will be in my prayers.

DUI Car Accidents in Santa Barbara County

Drunk driving accidents can be entirely prevented if individuals act responsibly. However, alcohol-related car crashes cause much devastation and tragedy in Southern California. Two fatalities and 14 injuries involving DUI car accidents were reported in Goleta in 2007, according to CHP traffic accident statistics. Countywide, 19 fatalities and 315 were reported as a result of alcohol-related car accidents.

California Drunk Driving Laws

California law prohibits drinking and driving. California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle." This driver is apparently also facing vehicular manslaughter charges. I hope he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Individuals or families who are victimized by drunk drivers have legal rights. If you are an injured victim, it is in your best interest to seek the counsel of an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who has had success in holding drunk and negligent drivers accountable for their actions. A skilled car accident lawyer will also tell victims how their own car insurance policy will apply in a case that involves an uninsured or underinsured driver.

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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