(Dana Point, CA) A motorist was arrested on suspicion of impaired driving for allegedly triggering a two-vehicle crash in Dana Point that killed an 88-year-old man named Melvin Joseph Weibel.
The crash occurred around 6:15 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Golden Lantern and Stonehill Drive. It involved a Land Rover SUV and a Ford Transit van, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
“The Land Rover was traveling westbound on Stonehill Drive and turned left against a red arrow signal in front of the Ford Transit van traveling eastbound on Stonehill Drive,” OCSD said.
Melvin Joseph Weibel was reportedly a passenger inside the transit van, and he was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. Paramedics rushed the driver of the van to a hospital, where he was treated for serious injuries.
The driver of the Land Rover was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence with three prior convictions and booked into the Orange County Jail for murder and DUI causing injury, the OC Sheriff’s Department reported.
We at Accident News Now extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim. We know this is an awfully 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 crash, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us anytime. We are here day and night, ready to ease the burden of this overwhelming and terrible event.
Have you or a loved one been impacted by this event? Our team specializes in car accidents and we are here to help. You can reach us 24/7 at (866) 945-4286 or visit our online contact form at Accident News Now.
Liability in a Dana Point Car Accident
California Vehicle Code 23152 states clearly that “it is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage to drive a vehicle.” The limit is a blood-alcohol-content of 0.08%–more than that, and a motorist is determined to be under the influence.
California Vehicle Code 23153 further specifies the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing bodily injury to another person. This code states.
The consequences of violating these laws are outlined in California Vehicle Code 23536, which states:
(a) If a person is convicted of a first violation of Section 23152, that person shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 96 hours, at least 48 hours of which shall be continuous, nor more than six months, and by a fine of not less than three hundred ninety dollars ($390), nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(b) The court shall order that a person punished under subdivision (a), who is to be punished by imprisonment in the county jail, be imprisoned on days other than days of regular employment of the person, as determined by the court. If the court determines that 48 hours of continuous imprisonment would interfere with the person’s work schedule, the court shall allow the person to serve the imprisonment whenever the person is normally scheduled for time off from work. The court may make this determination based upon a representation from the defendant’s attorney or upon an affidavit or testimony from the defendant.
(c) The person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle shall be suspended by the department under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 13352 or Section 13352.1. The court shall require the person to surrender the driver’s license to the court in accordance with Section 13550.
(d) Whenever, when considering the circumstances taken as a whole, the court determines that the person punished under this section would present a traffic safety or public safety risk if authorized to operate a motor vehicle during the period of suspension imposed under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 13352 or Section 13352.1, the court may disallow the issuance of a restricted driver’s license required under Section 13352.4.
Driving under the influence is never worth the risk. If you’ve had a drink or used a substance, call a designated driver to take you home.
