Gaviota, CA – Jenna Causby & Dorthyann Guthrie Killed in Fatal DUI Crash on HWY 1

Gaviota, CA (October 30, 2022) – On Friday morning, October 28, a serious accident was reported in Gaviota that tragically killed two people.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the accident occurred around 4 a.m. about one mile north of the Highway 101 junction. The accident occurred when a Chevy Malibu that was traveling northbound on Highway 101 was hit head-on by a Ford that was traveling southbound at a high rate of speed. The Ford was attempting to pass slower traffic and passed over the double yellow lines when making the attempt and collided with the Chevy. The Chevy attempted to avoid the Ford by turning to the right, but the Ford veered to the left and crashed into the Chevy. As a result of the accident both cars spun out of control and became engulfed in flames.

Emergency personnel was called to the scene. Firefighters and paramedics quickly responded to the accident and worked to tend to the injured. There were two women in the Chevy. Sadly, both women suffered very serious injuries and died at the scene of the accident. They were identified as 19-year-old Jenna Causby and 20-year-old Dorothyann Guthrie. The driver of the Ford also suffered major injuries and was also transported to the hospital for treatment of critical injuries.

The accident closed the area for many hours as crews tended to the victims, conducted their investigation, and cleared the accident. Highway 1 was shut down in both directions for some time following the accident. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Police report that their initial investigation leads them to believe that alcohol was a factor in the accident. Officers have arrested the male driver of the Ford on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

We extend our deepest condolences to the deceased victims’ families at this time. Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this tragedy.

Our thoughts are with the other person injured in this accident. We hope for their full recovery.

Fatal DUI Car Accidents in California

Many people are seriously injured or killed by drunk drivers each year. The law is clear; in California, it is illegal for any person to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, if the person is 21 years old or older, or 0.01% if the person is under 21 years old. Despite the strict laws and penalties for breaking the law, people still get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. California is struggling with a growing number of DUI accidents each year. When drivers are engaging in negligent and risky behaviors such as drinking and driving, the chance of a serious accident increases dramatically.

Losing a loved one is never easy to deal with and is an overwhelming and emotional time. Unfortunately, many necessary matters need to be handled in the days and weeks following an accident. Legal matters are the last thing anyone wants to think about when grieving, but things need to be addressed promptly to not miss deadlines imposed by insurance companies. When someone you love is killed by another person’s actions you can file a wrongful death claim on their behalf. An experienced wrongful death attorney can help you handle these important matters.

If you have lost somebody you love in a fatal car accident, speak with a legal advocate that you can trust. Contact a Gaviota 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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