LAPD Officer Seriously Injured in DUI Crash on 405 Freeway
LAPD Officer Seriously Injured in DUI Crash on 405 Freeway
A Los Angeles police officer who was conducting a traffic stop on another motorist was struck and seriously injured in a car accident on the 405 Freeway, which officials said, involved a suspected DUI driver. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the crash occurred the night of December 11, 2017 on the northbound freeway near Santa Monica Boulevard.
Officer Sustains Leg Injury
California Highway Patrol officials say the officer had just pulled over the driver of a Honda Accord for alleged speeding and he was outside his 2014 Ford Explorer SUV, which was parked behind the Honda, when a 2003 Infiniti Q35 crashed into the SUV. The impact caused the SUV to strike the officer. CHP officials said the officer suffered a major injury.
Reports from the scene stated that the officer sustained a serious leg injury. He was hospitalized. CHP officers arrested the Infiniti’s driver, 34-year-old Douglas Donovan of Woodland Hills and booked him on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. No one else was injured in the collision. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the West Los Angeles Area CHP office at 310-642-3939.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the police officer who has been seriously injured in this crash. We wish him the very best for a quick and full recovery.
Fault and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the Infiniti was under the influence when he crashed his Infiniti into the Ford SUV. Under California Vehicle Code 23152 (a), it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The same section also states that motorists should not get behind the wheel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher.
In such cases, in addition to facing felony criminal charges, the at-fault driver may also be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses caused. Injured victims in such cases, in addition to workers’ compensation benefits (since the officer was injured on the job), can seek compensation from the at-fault driver for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress.
Injured victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney who will stay abreast of the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are preserved.
