Five people suffered injuries in a car accident after the driver of a Honda Civic crossed double yellow lines and crashed into a Caltrans truck and trailer on Highway 70 in Oroville. According to a news report in the Chico Enterprise Record, the injury collision occurred the morning of December 14, 2011. California Highway Patrol officials say the driver of the Caltrans truck, 60-year-old Gary Wayne Wagner, was southbound on Highway 70 near Cox Lane. He then slowed down to make a legal left turn across the highway.

At the time, 19-year-old Damien Vasquez, who was driving the Honda south on the highway with three passengers, and behind a car following the Caltrans truck, drove across the double yellow lanes in order to pass and crashed into the left rear side of the truck. All five people involved in the accident were transported to local hospitals for treatment.

I sympathize with the injured victims of this car versus truck accident. I wish them all the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accidents

According to CHP's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person died and 88 were injured due to car accidents in Oroville. Also, during the same year, Butte County car accidents claimed 20 lives and injured 761 injuries people.

Illegal and Unsafe Pass

Based on preliminary investigations, officials are saying that the teen driver of the Honda Civic was at fault here because he made an illegal pass by crossing double yellow lines and struck the truck that was making a legal left turn across the highway. California Vehicle Code Section 21751: "On a two-lane highway, no vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless the left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction."

Fault and Liability

If Vasquez is determined to have been at fault in this case, he can be held financially responsible for the injuries and damages caused to not only the truck driver, but also his passengers. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy, and pain and suffering. Victims would be well advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.