Chula Vista Automobile Crash Kills Two Young Girls

Our San Diego automobile accident attorneys were saddened to hear the news of a tragic car accident over the weekend that left two young girls dead. According to CBS 8 News 22 year old Arlene Anna Hernandez of Chula Vista lost control of her 2005 Kia Sedona on eastbound Otay Lakes Road early Sunday evening. California Highway Patrol Officer Omar Morales reported that Hernandez’s vehicle travelled down an embankment, overturned, and landed wheels up in a lake. As the vehicle sank Hernandez and an adult male passenger in the front seat were able to get out of the car and make it to safety. Hernandez’s daughter, Lesette Hernandez Silva, and the male passenger’s daughter, Guiliana Figueroa, were in the back seat of the vehicle at the time of the crash.

It wasn’t until Border Patrol agents and several area residents arrived on the scene that the two five year old girls were pulled from the vehicle. The two girls were airlifted to Rady Children’s Hospital, where they were both pronounced dead.

Hernandez has been accused of being intoxicated at the time of the deadly crash. Her blood was drawn at the scene of the accident, the results of which are pending. She is currently being held on $400,000 bail and is facing several charges including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, two counts of felony child abuse, and two counts of DUI causing injury. On Wednesday she plead not guilty to all of her charges.

DUI Basics in California:

In California the legal blood alcohol content limit is .08 percent. Every person reaches this limit at different rates by consuming different amounts of alcohol. The body’s ability to absorb alcohol depends on many factors including weight, metabolism, and usual volume of alcohol consumption. In addition to the legal limit, impairment of driving can occur at any level of blood alcohol content. For this reason it is prudent not to drive if you have been drinking at all in order to avoid tragic accidents such as the one in this case.

Getting Help in Southern California:

Unfortuntely, DUI accidents strike far too often in the San Diego area and throughout the state. Innocent individuals are often hurt in those accidents. When that occurs, there are often two kinds of legal cases that arise. The first is the criminal case against the drunk driver. The second may be a civil case filed by those hurt as a result of the drunk driver’s negligence.

If you have been involved in an vehicle accident, it is extremely important to ensure that a proper investigation is completed. For example, if there are witnesses to the accident it is vital to make sure that their statements are taken as soon as possible while their memories are fresh. If the police fail to perform a thorough investigation, a lawyer specializing in auto accidents can help make sure that one is completed.

The San Diego personal injury lawyers represent victims that have been injured in all types of accidents, including all types of auto accidents. If you have been involved in an accident with a drunk or impaired driver you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Our attorneys can help determine your rights and help you navigate the legal system. Contact the Walton Law Firm at (760) 571-5500 for a free and confidential consultation regarding the specifics of your case.

See Related Blog Posts:

Temecula Mom Drinks 12-Pack Before Causing Accident That Kills Daughter

San Diego County Drunk Driving Arrests Increase Over Christmas Weekend