(Landers, CA) A State Route 247 DUI crash resulted in the death of Detrick Dewayne Kelley, 41, and one other seriously injured in Landers.
On Tuesday, August 12, at around 2:30 p.m., the State Route 247 crash occurred. According to the California Highway Patrol, it happened on the freeway, just north of Yucca Valley.
When CHP officers investigated, they learned a 2018 Freightliner truck and a 2015 Chevrolet pickup truck with a Big Tex trailer pulled over. Detrick Dewayne Kelley and a 26-year-old man stood by their vehicles by the shoulder of the road. At that moment, a Yucca Valley woman made an unsafe turn and struck the trailer, freightliner, and both men.
By the time authorities arrived, they pronounced Detrick Dewayne Kelley dead at the State Route 247 DUI crash site. Paramedics transported the other man to Hi Desert Medical Center. After arriving, first responders airlifted him to Desert Regional Center. Currently, medical staff listed him in critical, but stable condition. Officers arrested the 41-year-old woman for driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter. Authorities booked her at West Valley Detention Center.
Detrick Dewayne Kelley’s family set up a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral expenses.
Legal Opinion of the State Route 247 DUI Crash
The State Route 247 crash that killed Detrick Dewayne Kelley and critically injured another man involves multiple serious violations. The CHP reports that the driver made an unsafe turn, striking both men and their vehicles. Under California Vehicle Code 22107, no person may turn a vehicle from a direct course until deemed reasonable safe. More significantly, Police arrested the driver for DUI, a violation of VEH 23152. Officers also charged her for vehicular manslaughter, a violation of Penal Code 191.5(a). It refers to death resulting from gross negligence by driving under the influence.
Kelley and the other victim were lawfully on the freeway shoulder. The State Roue 247 DUI crash shows a complete failure by the driver to maintain control and avoid a clearly visible hazard. In such cases, DUI creates not only criminal liability but also near-automatic civil liability. The fact that both victims were outside their vehicles increases the severity of the impact and highlights the recklessness of the driver’s actions.
Kelley’s surviving family has a strong wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. They may seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the value of his financial and household contributions. The injured man also has a personal injury claim for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs. Because DUI can be considered gross negligence, both claims may qualify for punitive damages to punish and deter this conduct.
What the Family Can Do
The family of Detrick Dewayne Kelley and the injured man should immediately consult an attorney experienced in wrongful death and DUI-related injury cases. The attorney can obtain the CHP collision report, chemical test results, and arrest records, which will be crucial in establishing fault. They should also collect photographs of the crash site, vehicle damage, and skid marks, along with witness statements. In DUI fatality cases, quick legal action is essential to preserve evidence before it is lost or altered. The attorney can also track the criminal case, as a conviction will further strengthen the civil claims. Acting now will ensure that both families secure their rights, hold the impaired driver fully accountable, and obtain financial help.
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.
