(Bakersfield, CA) A Panama Lane DUI crash resulted in the death of Chasie Aquino Cariño, 23, and the injuries of two others in Bakersfield.
On Sunday, August 24, at about 1:20 a.m., the two-vehicle Panama Lane DUI crash occurred. According to the Bakersfield Police Department, officers dispatched to Panama Lane and Stine Road.
Upon investigating, police learned a vehicle drove westbound on Panama Lane. At some point, the westbound vehicle struck another vehicle driving southbound at the intersection. By the time officers arrived, they found two vehicles with major damage. They found Chasie Aquino Cariño lying on the roadway, pronouncing her dead at the Panama Lane DUI crash site.
Paramedics transported the driver of the southbound vehicle to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the westbound vehicle sustained minor injuries, with paramedics also transporting them to a hospital. Upon further investigation, authorities learned speed and alcohol contributed to the collision. Both drivers, Juan Daniel Trujillo, 31, and Elizabeth Eden Kirk, 26, drove through a police barricade leading up to the crash. Police detained both drivers for driving under the influence, booking them into the Kern County Jail.
Legal Opinion on the Panama Lane DUI Crash
The Panama Lane DUI crash involves multiple serious violations under California law. Driving under the influence is a felony when it results in death or serious injury. California Vehicle Code 23153 states driving while under the influence is illegal. When someone dies, it may also lead to charges under California Penal Code 191.5(a). This law refers to vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated with gross negligence. In this case, both drivers reportedly ignored police barricades and continued driving while impaired, showing extreme negligence.
Speeding also played a role. Under VEH 22350, it is unlawful to drive at unsafe speeds, regardless of posted limits. Excessive speed combined with alcohol contributed to the Panama Lane DUI crash. The fact that the drivers bypassed a police barricade further indicates willful disregard for public safety. That behavior will likely weigh heavily against them in both criminal court and any civil lawsuits that follow.
What the Victim’s Family Can Do
The family of Chasie Aquino Cariño has the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. This allows close relatives to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the financial support she may have provided.
They should contact a wrongful death attorney immediately. A lawyer can obtain police reports, DUI test results, surveillance footage, and crash reconstruction data. With both drivers facing criminal charges, the civil case can proceed alongside the criminal proceedings. If either driver is convicted, that can help establish liability in civil court. The surviving driver with life-threatening injuries may also have a strong personal injury claim. That claim could cover medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, and long-term care. Since both drivers may share fault, a legal team can help sort through who bears greater responsibility and pursues compensation from all available insurance policies or personal assets.
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.
