(Sacramento, CA) A Del Paso Road DUI crash at a bus stop resulted in the death of Ricky Ray Reyes Jr., 19, in Sacramento.
On Wednesday, August 6, shortly after 3:15 p.m., authorities received reports of the Del Paso Road DUI crash. According to the Sacramento Police Department, it happened on Del Paso Road and El Centro Road.
Police learned Ricky Ray Reyes Jr., an aspiring national guardsman, stood at the bus stop on Del Paso Road. All of a sudden, a vehicle struck him while waiting for the bus.
By the time responding officers found him, he lied on the roadway. Despite lifesaving measures, authorities pronounced Reyes dead at the Del Paso road DUI crash site. When they assessed the driver of the vehicle, they found the driver sustained injuries and displayed signs of intoxication. Officers arrested the driver and remains in the hospital for treatment.
Ricky Ray Reyes Jr.’s family set up a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral expenses.
Legal Opinion of the California Del Paso Road DUI Crash
This tragedy indicates clear violations of California’s DUI and reckless driving laws. Driving under the influence is prohibited by California Vehicle Code 23152(a). This makes it unlawful for any person to operate a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. If intoxication causes the death of another person, the driver may face more serious charges. Penal Code 191.5(a) states gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being. Additionally, VEH 21950 requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, which includes those at designated waiting areas like bus stops. Striking someone who is standing in such a location demonstrates a disregard for safety and likely constitutes negligence under California law.
Because the victim, Ricky Ray Reyes Jr., stood still at a bus stop, there is no indication he contributed to the crash. The reported signs of intoxication in the driver, coupled with the location of the impact, point to a preventable act of gross negligence. In civil court, this could form the basis of a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver, and potentially their insurance company, for damages stemming from the loss.
What the Family Can Do
Reyes’s family has the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. This claim can seek compensation for funeral expenses, medical costs related to attempted life-saving care, lost future financial support, and the loss of companionship. The family may also pursue punitive damages if the driver’s intoxication is proven. They should preserve any evidence, such as witness statements, surveillance footage, and police reports, to strengthen the case.
The criminal case against the driver will proceed separately from the civil claim. Even with a conviction, it does not automatically award compensation to the family. Civil action is the direct route to obtaining financial recovery. The sooner the family acts, the better, as evidence and witness memories can fade quickly.
We at Accident News Now extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim. We know this is a difficult time as you mourn the tragic and sudden loss of a loved one. If you have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this horrible incident, call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
