Though it would be nice to kick off the new year and the new decade on a good note, tragic incidents on the road still happen and at the start of 2010, tragedy struck once again on a San Diego freeway. Lemon Grove resident Elaina Lynn Luquis Ortiz, 21, was killed when a drunk-driver crashed into her car. What makes this accident particularly sad is that Ortiz was pregnant at the time of the car accident.
Our firm’s auto accident attorneys in San Diego know that during the holiday season, there is an increase of drivers who get behind the wheel while intoxicated. But it does not have to be the festive season or even alcohol in someone’s system — legal and illegal drugs can impair a driver just as much.
Around 3:11 a.m. on New Year’s Day, Ortiz was sitting in the car of a friend who pulled off to the side of the northbound 805 lane to help Ortiz with a flat tire. As they were awaiting some more assistance, a black Chevy Tahoe SUV veered onto the shoulder of the highway and caused the drunk-driving accident.
Ortiz’s wrongful death happened almost instantly.
Joseph Venegas, 40, was arrested by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) after being transported to Scripps Mercy Hospital with the other passenger who was in the car with Ortiz at the time of the crash. He is being held by authorities for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
For the experienced Lemon Grove auto accident attorneys this case is particularly upsetting not only because a mother and her unborn child had to lose their lives, but because DUI accidents are preventable. If only Venegas had made the smart choice to let a sober driver pick him up and take him home, Ortiz and her child would still be alive.
Let’s hope that 2010 improves and that accidents like this do not happen throughout the rest of the year.
Please feel free to call us now at 1-800-655-6585 or you can click here for a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney. We have a large bilingual staff that can assist you in either English or Spanish. There is no fee if no recovery.
About Michael PinesMichael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.
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Tags: Interstate 805, killed by drunk driver, Lemon Grove, pregnant woman, wrongful death
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