Overturned Van Crash May Have Been Due To DUI

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration compiles data from individual states in order to study the number of traffic fatalities nationwide. In 2017, there were 3,602 traffic fatalities in California, allowing it to drop from the deadliest state for driving to second place behind Texas. Where California’s record did not improve, however, was in drunken driving fatalities. In 2017, 31% of those fatalities involved a drunken driver. While many drunk driving arrests occur before an accident can happen, being involved in an accident while intoxicated can mean stiffer penalties. In California, if a DUI involves a serious injury or a fatality, the DUI can be charged as a felony.

KTLA reports on a suspected DUI crash where a van overturned, injuring two people critically. The crash occurred in Beaumont on Saturday afternoon.

Just before 3 p.m., officers responded to the scene of a crash at the intersection of Beaumont Avenue and Sixth Street. According to witnesses, a white four-door Lincoln sedan was speeding down Beaumont Avenue before running a red light. The Lincoln then crashed into a van, causing the van to overturn.

A total of five people were injured in the accident. Two people suffered from critical injuries. The driver of the Lincoln suffered from injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police believe that the driver was under the influence.

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