Deadly collision happened along McGowan Parkway offramp, authorities say
YUBA, CA, (September 02, 2024) - A suspected drunk driver traveling the wrong way in Yuba County Monday morning caused a crash that left one person dead and injured three others, authorities said.
Dorcas Gramajo-Cabrera, a 28-year-old Marysville resident, was seriously hurt in a drunken driving crash along Highway 70 in Yuba County, according to authorities.
According to the California Highway Patrol Yuba-Sutter office, a white Buick sedan traveled onto Highway 70 northbound on the southbound McGowan Parkway offramp and began driving in the wrong direction. Shortly afterward, the Buick slammed head-on into a silver Toyota SUV driving south on Highway 70 in the southbound lane.
The Toyota's driver was killed in the crash, the CHP said in a report.
Dorcas Gramajo-Cabrera, 28, of Marysville, a passenger in the Toyota, was transported to the hospital with major injuries. A passenger in the Buick was also hurt.
The Buick driver, who was herself injured, faces multiple charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI causing injury.
This is an ongoing investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
When a driver is under the influence, they can suffer from a lack of judgment, impaired vision, reduced coordination, and delayed reaction time.
The National Safety Council published a 2018 report that found 4.5 million injuries occurred as a result of motor vehicle crashes.
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, a national analyst for Newsline.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM
Pending the results of the investigation, Dorcas Gramajo-Cabrera may have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal, noted that the stress and worry following a serious injury could be overwhelming, disrupting all aspects of life, including family, work, finances, and overall quality of life.
“It is vital for victims to hire an attorney when filing a personal injury claim, which allows them to negotiate with an insurance company on behalf of a client,” Formica added.
“Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth. However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
If you, a friend, or a family member have been injured at the hands of a hit-and-run or drunken driver, contact our national legal analysts Candice Bond and Stefano Formica for a free consultation for guidance
(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).