A truck driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) seriously injured one of his hands Friday January 9, 2009 when he lost control of the truck he was driving and crashed.

Shortly before the auto accident occurred, Escondido officers had responded to a call of a fight near Fifth Avenue and Hickory Street around 11:40 p.m. and found several people running from the area.  One person, the truck driver, got into a gray Nissan Frontier pickup and fled.

Our firm’s San Diego car accident lawyers know from experience that it is never a good idea to get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, especially since DUI accidents are 100% preventable.  No one should go through the pain and suffering of a drunk-driver’s reckless actions when steps could’ve been taken to avoid that hurt.

A police officer pursued the in a police chase along several residential streets.  The driver of the Nissan lost control of the pickup on Rose Street near Riva Lane.  The automobile rolled over and came to a stop in the middle of the street, according to the officer.

The 19-year-old teenage drunk driver was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and felony evading arrest.  He was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injury and later booked into the Vista jail.

Two other men and a 17-year-old boy were also in the pickup.  The men were arrested on suspicion of public drunkenness.  The teenager was arrested on suspicion of violating curfew and possessing tools that could be used to vandalize property.

Although the only injury caused in the auto accident was the driver’s hand, by driving while drunk, the driver risked the lives of himself and his three passengers as well as every other driver on the road with him.  And because the driver fled the scene he may be facing a longer sentence.  In this car accident, there were no deaths or major injuries; however, this will not always be the case.  

Our firm’s experienced Escondido car accident lawyers ask that before getting behind the wheel of your automobile, you consider not only your own safety but also the safety of your passengers and the other drivers on the road, and hope that this deters you from making a bad choice with to booze and cruise.

If you were injured and believe that you deserve compensation, then call our bilingual law offices right away at 1-858-551-2090 or click here for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney and find out how we can help you.  We look forward to providing good advice for your case.  There is no fee if no recovery.