(Long Beach, CA) Rico Pallares, 47, was tragically killed when the driver of a car in which he was a passenger lost control of their vehicle on the 710 Freeway. A second occupant of the car was injured as well.
At about 2:57 a.m. on Thursday, January 30, a motorist in an SUV slammed into a freeway sign before leaving the freeway and striking a Metro Line maintenance yard fence, trapping the vehicle’s occupants.
Officers responded to the scene at the northbound Del Amo Boulevard off-ramp and tragically pronounced Pallares dead at the scene. The other injured passenger was taken to a hospital in an unknown condition. It’s unclear if the driver was harmed.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation.
We at Accident News Now offer our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of the victim. We know this is a heart-wrenching loss. If you or someone you know was affected by this incident, please feel free to give us a call anytime. We have a team of legal experts who can help you navigate this terrible situation and answer any questions you may have.
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 Long Beach Car Accident
It’s unclear what caused this accident at this time, but speeding is a top factor in causing car accidents. Speeding, as all motorists are aware, is a surefire way to make driving more dangerous for you, your passengers, and the cars around you.
California has what is called its “basic speed law,” which is a very straightforward law that says motorists must always drive at a “reasonable” speed based on road conditions. The law reads:
“No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.”
Always make sure to follow the speed limit, and adjust your speed based on road conditions, weather conditions, and any other unusual factors. Getting to your destination a little bit faster is not worth the risk of speeding.
It’s also possible that impairment was a factor in this collision.
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.
