Pedestrian Crash Near DUI Checkpoint
A fatal pedestrian crash occurred just one block away from a DUI checkpoint in San Diego, according to recent reports. Police arrested Jonathan Rojas, 24, on charges of DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter after he collided with a pedestrian on Palm Avenue near Emory Street in Imperial Beach.
Witnesses reported that the pedestrian was attempting to cross the six-lane roadway when he was struck. Deputies a block away at the DUI checkpoint heard the crash and rushed to the scene, but were unable to save the victim.
The DUI checkpoint, which was set up near The Salty Frog bar on Palm Avenue, screened more than 1,000 vehicles that evening, sending a total of 34 to a secondary screening and yielding two arrests.
DUI and Personal Injury
The high number of DUI-related crashes in San Diego this summer has prompted some to dub the season the “Summer of Shame.” While the public tends to focus on the criminal aspects of this phenomenon and advocate for harsher penalties for these drivers, many do not realize the quiet struggle of the accident victims to recover compensation for their injuries.
A DUI is a criminal charge. This means that the defendant is given the opportunity to address the charges and, if successful, may be found not guilty. However, DUI trials do not address the costs to the victims.
A person driving under the influence who injures someone else may also have to face a civil trial, which has a very different standard than its criminal counterpart. Criminal trials do not seek compensation for the victim; instead, they seek justice for society. A victim must fight alone for his or her rights to be compensated for medical bills, pain and suffering and other costs. In this battle, a personal injury attorney may be a valuable resource.
If you are facing the high cost of injuries caused by a drunk driver, it is very important that you speak to an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An attorney like Daniel M. Gilleon in San Diego may be able to help you recover compensation to pay for your medical bills, lost wages and other expenses related to the accident. Further, you may be able to recover money to compensate you for your pain and suffering. Contact the Gilleon Law Firm, APC today to learn more about how we can help you in this process.
