A normal dinner turns deadly for cousins after being involved in crash with alleged DUI driver Friday night, officials say
Biola, CA, (January 10, 2025) - Family members identified Sandy Jasmin Carmona Rodriguez and Luis Carmona Rodriguez as the victims of a deadly crash involving a suspected DUI driver who was later arrested on a host of charges, including four counts of murder.
Sandy and Luis Carmona Rodriguez were fatally injured after their car was struck by an allegedly intoxicated driver on Floyd and Shaw in Biola Friday night, according to a news report.
It happened around 10:30 p.m. Friday at Floyd and Shaw Avenues, east of Biola in Fresno County, police said.
According to preliminary findings, a Ford E350 driven by a Kerman resident was heading southbound on Floyd when it entered the intersection without yielding to oncoming traffic and, as a result, traveled directly into the path of a westbound Nissan Altima. Two individuals in the Ford and two in the Altima died as a result of injuries, officials said. Two passengers in the Altima—both male and in their 30s—were transported to the hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.
The occupants of the Ford, Sandy and Luis, were out on a usual dinner. The loved ones have created two GoFundMe pages—one for Sandy and another for Luis.
Officials arrested the Kerman driver and booked him into jail. He is expected to be in court on January 15th.
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), around 1,479 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol in the state of California in 2022.
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 Sandy and Luis Carmona Rodriguez 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).