The three U.S. Marines who were killed in an Orange County car accident, early morning on February 14, 2012, have been identified as Cpl. Jason Chleborad, 22, of Rapid City, South Dakota, Cpl. Christopher Arzola, 21, of Westfield Massachusetts, and Sgt. Jeremiah Callahan, 23, of Chadron, Nebraska. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal car accident occurred when the driver of a Dodge Stratus carrying the Camp Pendleton Marines lost control of the car and hit a tree on Golden Lantern Street in Dana Point. Officials state that the driver had been drinking before the accident. They say alcohol and high speed are the main causes of this crash. The driver remains hospitalized in critical condition.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of Cpl. Jason Chleborad, Cpl. Christopher Arzola, and Sgt. Jeremiah Callahan – all decorated Marines who have served their country well. What tragedy for their families, for the community and their fellow Marines! Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers.

DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person died and 11 were injured as a result of alcohol-related crashes in Dana Point. In Orange County as a whole, 62 fatalities and 1,340 injuries were reported as a result of DUI collisions, during the same year.

Violation of Laws

Based on this news report, the driver of the vehicle, also a Marine, was under the influence and traveling at a high rate of speed when the crash occurred. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle." A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges under California Penal Code Section 191.5 (a).
In addition, California Vehicle Code Section 22350 (Basic Speed Law) states: "No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic and on surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property."

Victims’ Rights

In such cases, victims’ families would be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the ongoing investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. For more information about the dangers of driving under the influence, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) web site at www.madd.org.