Man Suspected of DUI Crashes into Newport Beach Home

DUI Crash Damages Newport Beach Home

A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after he crashed into a house. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the crash was reported the night of February 10, 2013.

Police say the man was driving south on Cliff Drive and continued even though the street ended in a T-intersection at Irvine Avenue. The driver, who was identified as Michael Joseph Anderson of Westminster, was transported to a local trauma center with unknown injuries.  Luckily, it does not appear that there are any other victims in the alleged DUI crash.

DUI Crash Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2011, 9,878 people were killed in alcohol-impaired DUI crashes. These DUI fatalities accounted for 31 percent of the total crash fatalities in the United States.

Under California law, it is illegal for operators of vehicles to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. The percentages of drunk drivers involved in fatal DUI crashes with a BAC level of 0.08 percent or higher in 2011 were 29 percent for motorcycles, 24 percent for passenger cars and 21 percent for light trucks.

Drunk Driving Laws

Based on this news report, it appears that the driver was under the influence of alcohol. It is indeed fortunate that no one in the home or no one else in the area was injured in this DUI crash. It is not clear what the driver’s BAC level was at the time of the crash. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a):

“It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.”

This law aligns closely with the motto that Public Services are constantly trying to drill into our heads — “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving”. Many people confuse the legal limit of .08 as a free pass to drink and drive, when in reality, the statute is quite clear – it mentions nothing of “just a little”. It’s usually when a person is arrested for drinking and driving that they realize there is no gray area. It’s completely up to the officer’s discretion as to whether you are impaired or not.

Liability Issues

When a driver who is under the influence causes a collision, in addition to facing criminal charges, he or she can also be held civilly liable for the injuries and losses sustained by victims. In such cases, victims can seek compensation to cover damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. An experienced Newport Beach personal injury lawyer will be able to help injured victims and their families seek compensation while holding the at-fault driver accountable.

News Attribution: http://www.ocregister.com/news/beach-495432-driving-authorities.html