(Santa Clarita, California) On October 9th, at approximately 4:30 p.m., reports were made on the Antelope (14) freeway that tragically took the life of 28-year-old, Semaj Weldon.
A witness recorded the aftermath of the collision. One member of a firefighter’s team was performing CPR on a victim near a flipped vehicle. The vehicle front-end was damaged and a portion of the K-Rail was damaged.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the collision.
Legal Analysis on the Antelope (14) Freeway Crash
When a fatal crash involves a flipped vehicle and a deceased person, the cause can often be due to speed and driving under the influence. In this collision, investigators may review speed and DUI laws.
Because a flipped vehicle was involved, it’s possible that a driver struck another vehicle causing it to flip over. When high speed is involved, the impact of the vehicle can worsen. In this case, investigators would review California Vehicle Code 22350, as . This law prohibits driving above the reasonable speed limit.
If the driver was speeding due to being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, then they would have violated California Vehicle Code 23152. This law specifically prohibits driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverages and drugs. It also states that driving with a 0.08% or of BAC, by weight is classified as a DUI.
If impairment and alcohol were proven to be a factor that resulted in the death of an individual, the driver may have violated California Penal Code 191.5. The driver may face serious consequences of 4 to 10 years in a county jai.
Advice to the Victim’s Family
If you lost a loved one in this collision, It is important to note that getting emotional support at a time like this is crucial. If you are planning to take legal steps, speak with a legal expert in vehicle collisions to help you with any questions you may have and get the justice your loved one deserves.
Have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this incident? call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
