The wrong-way motorist was charged with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, CHP says
SANTA MARIA, CA, (September 08, 2024) - A suspected drunk driver traveling the wrong way in Santa Maria early Sunday caused a crash that led to the death of a 53-year-old passenger in a vehicle, officials said.
Alma Teresa Alcorta Del Lazaro, a 53-year-old Santa Maria resident, was killed in a crash involving a drunken driver early Sunday along Highway 101 just south of Betteravia Road, the report said.
The incident happened on the southbound Highway 101 just south of Betteravia Road. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a Mazda CX-9 was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 101 north of Los Alamos around 5:25 a.m. when the driver crashed into a Chevrolet Silverado. As a result of the collision, a right-front passenger of the Chevrolet sustained fatal injuries.
The deceased victim has been identified as Alma Teresa Alcorta Del Lazaro, a 53-year-old resident of Santa Maria.
Cecilio L. Camacho, the driver of the Chevrolet, was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Authorities arrested the Mazda’s driver on multiple charges, including vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Although only 2% of motor vehicle accidents are head-on in the United States, they account for over 10% of all crash-related fatalities.
The NHTSA also reports that in 2019, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 28% of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities.
Candice Bond, an experienced auto accident attorney, said in cases such as this, it is imperative to have an independent probe conducted into the crash by a seasoned lawyer to protect the rights of the victim’s family.
“Time is of the essence in cases such as this, and the family of the victim must ensure that evidence is reviewed efficiently,” said Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of Alma Teresa Alcorta Del Lazaro 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 such as this incident.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal.
“A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that the victim's legal rights and best interests are protected.”
If your loved one has been killed by a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, please contact our national legal analysts Candice Bond and Stefano Formica today
(Candice Bond, Managing Partner, and Stefano Formica, Of Counsel, at Bond Legal, are the national legal analysts for Newsline. 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).