(Garden Grove, CA) A motorcyclist died in a Garden Grove Boulevard DUI collision near Cannery Street in Garden Grove.
On Sunday, August 17, at 9:42 a.m., the Garden Grove Boulevard DUI collision occurred. According to Sgt. Charles Starnes of the Garden Grove Police Department, it happened on the 9100 block of Garden Grove Boulevard.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found an unresponsive rider of a 2005 Suzuki motorcycle. Starnes stated the Orange County Fire Authority personnel assessed the rider’s injuries but pronounced them dead. Police took the 28-year-old Garden Grove driver that caused the Garden Grove Boulevard DUI collision into custody. Reportedly, they arrested the man on suspicion for driving under the influence.
Legal Opinion of the Garden Grove Boulevard DUI Collision
The Garden Grove Boulevard DUI collision that killed a motorcyclist violates California’s drunk driving laws. California Vehicle Code 23152 makes it unlawful to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When impairment causes a fatal crash, prosecutors may pursue gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated under Penal Code 191.5(a). This felony offense carries significant prison time.
The Garden Grove Police Department reported officers arrested the 28-year-old driver on suspicion of DUI. Since motorcyclists are highly vulnerable, DUI collisions often result in catastrophic injuries or death, and the impaired driver is almost always found liable. Investigators will rely on field sobriety tests, chemical results, and scene reconstruction to establish fault.
The deceased motorcyclist’s family has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. They can seek damages for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship and emotional suffering. Not only that, but they can seek compensation for financial contributions the motorcyclist would have provided. Punitive damages may also be available, aimed at punishing the driver and deterring similar conduct in the future.
What the Family Can Do
The family should contact an experienced wrongful death attorney right away. The attorney can obtain the Garden Grove Police Department’s crash report, the DUI arrest records, and any available witness statements or surveillance footage from the 9100 block of Garden Grove Boulevard. They can also monitor the criminal proceedings against the driver, as a conviction will strengthen the civil case. The family should preserve any records of the motorcyclist’s income, household contributions, and medical history to help establish damages. Acting quickly will ensure that crucial evidence is preserved and that the family’s rights are protected within California’s two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims. This legal action will not only provide financial support for the family but also hold the impaired driver accountable for this preventable tragedy.
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.
