(Hilmar, CA) A 64-year-old man died in a Highway 165 collision after Angel Ortega. 40, struck him late Friday night while under the influence in Hilmar.
On Friday, September 5, shortly before 11:30 p.m., the Highway 165 Street DUI collision occurred. According to the California Highway Patrol, it happened when witnesses saw a dark-colored Chevrolet Silverado speeding along Highway 165 near Third Street.
Witnesses reported the pickup truck struck a man crossing the roadway at a high rate of speed. Despite emergency responders arriving quickly, they pronounced the 64-year-old victim dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet released his identity. About 20 minutes after the crash, officers located the suspect vehicle still traveling on Highway 165. They identified the driver as 40-year-old Angel Ortega.
Officers determined Ortega showed signs of impairment. They arrested him on suspicion of murder, felony DUI, and felony hit-and-run. He was booked into Merced County Jail. The Highway 165 DUIcollision remains under investigation.
Legal Opinion on the Highway 165 DUI Collision
The Highway 165 DUI collision represents one of the most serious outcomes under California law. Because the victim died and Angel Ortega fled, multiple criminal charges apply. The most direct law is California Vehicle Code 20001, which makes it a felony to flee the scene of a crash involving injury or death. Leaving a victim on the roadway without providing help greatly increases criminal penalties.
Since investigators confirmed the driver was impaired, California Vehicle Code 23152 applies. This law prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When a DUI leads to death, prosecutors may also charge under California Penal Code 191.5, which covers gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. In this case, prosecutors elevated charges to murder. For the victim’s family, California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60 provides the right to file a wrongful death claim. This claim allows close relatives to seek compensation for funeral expenses, the loss of financial support, and the emotional devastation caused by the sudden death.
What the Family Can Do
The family should contact a wrongful death attorney quickly. An attorney can review the CHP’s full report of the Highway 165 DUI collision. They can also obtain toxicology records and track the criminal case against Ortega. Even while the criminal charges move forward, the family can pursue a separate civil claim.
A wrongful death lawsuit may provide the family with financial support for burial costs and recognition of their profound loss. It can also hold the driver accountable in civil court, regardless of the criminal outcome. Although nothing can undo this tragedy, legal action may bring justice and closure for the family of the man killed in the Highway 165 and Third Street collision.
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.
