A wrong-way motorist collided with another car on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu on Friday, July 16. The LA Times reports that two people have been killed and one critically injured as a result. The highly traversed coastal route near Zuma View Place was closed to traffic for several hours after the accident because authorities were working on extricating a body from one of the mangled vehicles.
According to witness testimony, a Saturn that was traveling the wrong way on the westbound side of the highway almost immediately burst into flames after colliding with a Mustang traveling in the other direction. While the drivers of both automobiles were pronounced dead at the scene, the passenger in the Mustang was taken by helicopter to Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center. At the time of the article’s release, the passenger was said to be in critical condition.
Since this Malibu auto accident occurred at 1 a.m., investigators may look into whether or not any of the motorists were under the influence of alcohol. The California Highway Patrol notes that 98 fatal alcohol-related accidents took place between 1:00 a.m. and 1:59 a.m. in 2008. For that same year, there were a total of 1,239 reported fatal collisions involving alcohol and 19,659 injury accidents in California.
Car accidents caused by drunk drivers create devastating consequences not only for the intoxicated driver, but also for innocent motorists, passengers, and pedestrians.
The Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have obtained several large verdicts and settlements for car accident injury victims as well as family members of wrongful death victims. As a firm whose attorneys have been recognized among the 100 Most Influential Lawyers in California, as Trial Lawyer of the Year by various organizations, and consistently by Super Lawyers® and Best Lawyers® publications, you can rely on Panish Shea & Boyle LLP to effectively protect your rights and obtain full and just compensations on your behalf. Call 877-800-1700 for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
