SAN DIEGO, CA – One person was killed and four others were injured in a suspected DUI crash in North County San Diego on Wednesday, August 9, according to local authorities.
The horrific accident occurred on I-5 North, just north of State Route 78, at 8:58 pm according to California Highway Patrol (CHP).
A red sedan had been parked on the 5 Freeway, for unknown reasons, when a black Chevrolet Corvette traveling at high speeds was passing on the right shoulder and crashed into it. The crash pushed the red sedan into the slow lane, where an 18-wheeler collided with it.
The driver of the Corvette was a 39-year-old man from Oceanside. After the collision, he left his car on foot, ran up a nearby hill and officers later arrested him. One of the passengers in the red sedan was pronounced dead at the scene, a woman whose identity wasn’t revealed.
There were four other people in the vehicle who were injured and transported to a nearby hospital. Their injuries ranged from moderate to major. As a result of the accident, the I-5 northbound was closed for hours as was the connector ramp to the SR-78.
The driver of the Corvette was identified by Fox 5 as Edwin Vincent Hoffman who was placed under arrest and faces several charges including felony driving under the influence (DUI), felony hit-and-run and gross vehicular manslaughter.
San Diego personal injury attorney, Gerald Singleton, expressed his sympathies, stating, “It’s heart-wrenching to hear about such devastating incidents in our community. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families during this challenging time.”
Anyone injured in a DUI car accident should contact the San Diego car accident attorneys at Singleton Schreiber by calling (619) 771-3473 or emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.
Drunk Driving Accidents in North County San Diego
Alcohol-impaired driving remains a persistent issue in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, 10,142 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the country. These accidents are tragically preventable, yet countless lives are lost each year due to the decisions of impaired drivers.
California, like many states, has stringent laws against DUI (Driving Under the Influence). A first-time DUI conviction can result in penalties ranging from fines, suspension of driving privileges, mandatory alcohol education, and even jail time. The penalties escalate with each subsequent DUI offense.
Beyond the legal repercussions, the aftermath of a DUI accident can be financially, emotionally, and physically devastating for all parties involved. Injured victims often face long recovery times, loss of income, and mounting medical bills. Meanwhile, families who lose loved ones grapple with the sudden emotional and financial hardships that can last for years.
San Diego, with its sprawling urban landscape and coastal highways, unfortunately, witnesses a significant number of DUI (Driving Under the Influence) accidents each year. These accidents often result in severe injuries, changing the lives of victims and their families forever.
DUI-related crashes in San Diego often lead to a range of injuries from minor to catastrophic. Common injuries include whiplash, which results from the rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, and can lead to chronic pain if not treated promptly. Broken bones, lacerations, and internal injuries are also prevalent, necessitating emergency medical attention and sometimes prolonged hospital stays.
More severe incidents can result in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or spinal cord injuries. TBIs can have lifelong cognitive, physical, and emotional repercussions, while spinal cord injuries can lead to paralysis, drastically altering the victim’s quality of life.
The emotional trauma following a DUI accident shouldn’t be underestimated. Victims often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, impacting their ability to return to their regular lives.
The importance of driving sober cannot be emphasized enough. While legal penalties aim to deter drunk driving, the physical and emotional consequences of DUI accidents are a grim testament to the irreversible damage caused by such reckless behavior.
Gerald Singleton, emphasizing the rights of those injured, stated, “It’s crucial for the victims and their families to understand their rights in such situations. Based on the preliminary details of this accident, I firmly believe that the injured parties may be eligible for significant compensation. I urge them, or anyone in a similar predicament, to consult with a qualified attorney to ensure their rights are protected and to navigate the complexities of personal injury claims.”
Anyone injured in a DUI accident should contact the San Diego personal accident lawyers at Singleton Schreiber by calling (619) 771-3473 or emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.
