Fountain Valley, CA – Bicyclist Phong Khuu Killed in Fatal DUI Crash at Los Coches Street & Sunn Ave

Fountain Valley, CA (November 16, 2022) – On Tuesday morning, November 15, in Fountain Valley, CA a bicycle was involved in a collision with a DUI driver that resulted in the death of the bicyclist.

According to police, the accident happened around 4:30 am near the intersection of Los Coches St and Sunn Avenue in Fountain Valley. The accident happened when a bicyclist was riding their bike east on Sunn Avenue. At the same time, a drunk driver was driving a Honda SUV in the vicinity of Sunn Avenue and Los Coches Street when they suddenly made a U-turn in the area and slammed into the bicyclist in the intersection in the process of turning.

The victim was thrown from the bicycle and suffered severe injuries. The bicyclist sadly died at the scene from the injuries he sustained in the crash. The bicyclist was later identified as 62-year-old Phong Khuu.

The driver of the vehicle stopped after the accident and was cooperative with the police when they arrived. The driver of the vehicle did not sustain any injuries. Based upon the initial inquiry the police suspected the driver was intoxicated. They soon arrested 43-year-old Scott McDonough on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and DUI causing injury. He was booked into the Orange County Jail in lieu of a $100,000 bail.

The cause of the deadly collision remains under investigation by local authorities. The area was closed as police investigated, the victim was tended to by paramedics and the accident cleared.

We extend our deepest condolences to the deceased victim’s family at this time. Our hearts are with all those who have been affected by this tragedy.

Fatal DUI Accidents in California

California’s moderate climate and beautiful scenery make riding a bicycle an enjoyable pastime year-round. However, riding a bicycle is not without danger. Between 2007 and 2019, 1,672 bicyclists in California died after being hit by a vehicle. Bicyclists are increasingly likely to incur serious injuries or death if an accident does occur since they have nothing to protect themselves from a sudden collision with a vehicle. Even with helmets and other protective gear, bicyclists are very likely to incur serious injuries or death after an accident with a vehicle.

There are many reasons bicycle accidents happen. They often occur because of the negligent actions of the other drivers sharing the road. Some factors contributing to bicycle accidents include cars drifting into bike lanes, carelessness when parking cars, not seeing a bicyclist, speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol is extraordinarily reckless behavior that causes thousands of accidents each year in California. Choosing to drive under the influence will detrimentally affect your life and the life of those you harm forever.

There is nothing more devastating than the unexpected and sudden loss of a family member especially if the accident that took their life could have been avoided by someone choosing to make more responsible decisions. When you lose a loved one, we understand that no amount of money could replace that person’s presence in your life. Filing a wrongful death suit against a negligent party can ensure that your deceased family member gets the justice they deserve and can help you to cope with their loss. A compassionate attorney can help you with this process, so you don’t have to worry about these matters when grieving your loved one’s death.

If you have lost somebody you love in a fatal DUI accident, speak with a legal advocate that you can trust. Please do not hesitate to contact a Fountain Valley wrongful death attorney by calling (888) 539-3154 to see how we can help you.

Note: This post was created through the use of secondary sources such as state and local news sources, police accident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts about serious injury accidents that take place in Orange County. The facts surrounding this accident have not been independently verified, therefore, if any information is incorrect, please contact Russell & Lazarus APC, Personal Injury Lawyer so we can update the post with the most accurate information available. We will remove this post upon request. 

Disclaimer: This is not a solicitation for business. None of the information in this post is intended to be medical or legal advice. The photo used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene.

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