The suspect was booked on suspicion of DUI resulting in great bodily injury, officials say
HEMET, CA, (December 05, 2024) - A Hemet city employee was fatally hurt when a suspected drunk driver crashed into his vehicle Thursday morning on Acacia Avenue near Kirby Street, according to police.
Derek Holt, a Hemet Department of Public Works employee, was identified as the victim of a deadly crash that happened Thursday just before 8 a.m. on Acacia Avenue, authorities said.
The victim—identified as 40-year-old Hemet man Derek Holt—was a Hemet Department of Public Works employee.
Based on preliminary findings by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the alleged DUI driver was traveling westbound along Acacia around 8 a.m. when he slammed into Holt's municipal truck, fatally injuring him. The suspect, a 27-year-old Menifee resident, was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury.
No further information about the tragic incident was immediately available.
The investigation is underway.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
The death of the victim underscores the dangers of drunk driving, which, most experts say, is 100% preventable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 30 people die each day in the U.S. in drunk-driving crashes, which is one person every 50 minutes. More than 10,000 people die in drunk driving crashes each year.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, said that it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney.
“In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party,” said Bond.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Derek Holt 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.
“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one,” said Bond, a national analyst for Newsline.
“If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve.”
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed at the hands of a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, our national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. 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).