Orange County DUI Accident Leaves Two Dead

Two women, Sally Miguel, 44 and Patricia Miguel, 30, were killed in an Orange County car accident when a wrong-way driver on the 91 Freeway crashed head-on into their car, The Orange County Register reports. California Highway Patrol officials say 21-year-old Jessica Shekell, driving a 2003 Toyota Tacoma, was going west on the eastbound lanes the morning of October 26, 2009 when she slammed into a 2009 Chevy Silverado near the 55 Freeway. Sally Miguel, who was driving the Silverado, died as did Patricia Miguel, a passenger. Two girls ages 11 and 15 were hospitalized with serious injuries. Officials believe Shekell was under the influence of alcohol. She is now facing felony DUI charges.

This is a horrific, senseless accident, which should not have happened. My deepest condolences go to the family of Sally and Patricia Miguel for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I also hope the two young girls make a quick and complete recovery.

Orange County DUI Accidents

In 2007, CHP reported 10 deaths and 182 injuries involving DUI car accidents in Anaheim. Countywide, alcohol-related crashes claimed 75 lives and caused 1,501 injuries during the same period.

Driving under the influence is a serious crime under California law. California Vehicle Code Section 23152 states that it is illegal for anyone who drives under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The legal blood alcohol limit in California, as it is in most other states, is 0.08 percent. Shekell will also probably face vehicular manslaughter charges in this case. There is no question that she should be held criminally and civilly responsible if found to have been negligent.

Contacting an Experienced Orange County Injury Lawyer

California Penal Code section 191.5 (a) states: "Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence."

The Miguel family would be well-advised to contact a reputed personal injury attorney in Orange County, who has extensive experience financially pursuing drunk drivers and holding them accountable for their negligence and wrongdoing. A skilled personal injury lawyer should also advise victims and their families about how their car insurance will apply to car accident cases involving uninsured or underinsured drivers.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.