San Clemente, CA - Man Detained After Fatal Vehicle Collision on I-5 at Camino de Estrella

San Clemente, CA – Man Detained After Fatal Vehicle Collision on I-5 at Camino de Estrella

San Clemente, CA (February 19, 2023) – A 20-year-old man was reportedly driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding on Interstate 5 in San Clemente before a fatal crash that killed a 25-year-old woman earlier this week.

On Sunday, around 2:00 a.m., the California Highway Patrol and firemen were summoned to reports of a collision. CHP investigation indicated a 20-year-old man from El Cajon, California, was traveling at a “high rate of speed” in a 2001 Ford Ranger pickup truck on southbound Interstate 5 near Camino de Estrella in San Clemente when the collision happened.

Two of the truck’s wheels went over southbound lanes into northbound lanes of Interstate 5 and hit a 2019 Toyota Prius driven by a 66-year-old man from Irvine, California, per details released this weekend by the California Highway Patrol.

CHP said that a second vehicle, a 2021 Prius driven by a 28-year-old male from Vista, California, collided with the overturned truck driven by the first 20-year-old man.

Another driver then collided with the vehicles in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5. The motorist, a 25-year-old woman, was partially ejected from her 2016 Honda Civic due to the impact of the accident.

She suffered life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead before she could be transported to a local medical center.

It was later discovered that the 20-year-old driver of the Ford Ranger involved in the original collision was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at the time of the collision, and he was detained, police said in a news statement.

In the meantime, troopers with the CHP requested that anybody with information on the crash contact the Capistrano branch of CHP. The investigation remains active at this time.

We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the deceased woman’s family. Our thoughts are with the victims injured in this accident. We hope for the full recovery of all involved.

Serious Car Accidents in California

Southern California is one of the country’s most congested and often dangerous places to drive. Every day, the roads are flooded with cars and traffic jams, causing many accidents to occur. When you are involved in an accident, you are supposed to stop at the scene to exchange relevant information with the other party and wait for the policy to respond. Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents are becoming much more frequent in the state. The fleeing driver often has broken the law in some way and is fleeing from the police to avoid the consequences and being held accountable.

However, they are only adding to the charges that will be brought against them when the police ultimately find them. Failing to stop after you’re in an accident is a punishable offense, charged as either a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the severity of the accident.

A car accident can cause significant interruptions to your normal life, including new financial worries, medical expenses, vehicle repairs or replacement, and many other new expenses. Especially if you’re injured in the accident, you may be worried about who will pay for your medical care, expenses, and lost wages if you can’t work for some time. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be entitled to compensation from those who caused the accident.

The days after a car accident can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know if the police have found the other party yet. A trusted car accident lawyer can help you move past these feelings and help you regain control by explaining to you what your legal rights and options are. They can even help with the investigation or gathering information about the circumstances leading up to the accident. There are many types of claims available to attorneys to receive compensation on your behalf for your injuries and suffering. An experienced attorney will help you choose the best options for the circumstances of your case that will help you receive the most compensation.

If you were in a hit-and-run accident, you should speak to an experienced car accident lawyer right away. Contact a San Clemente car accident attorney by reaching out to our team at (949) 309-0990. We are ready to discuss your accident and potential case today.

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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