Two passengers were injured in a Yolo County car accident, which police report, involved a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The Daily Democrat, the DUI collision occurred on State Route 16, near Interstate 505, in Woodland, the night of September 24, 2011. California Highway Patrol officials say Michael E. Kuehn, 58, was under the influence of alcohol when he crashed a Ford F-150 into a stopped Toyota 4Runner driven by 63-year-old Nhuan V. Le.

The 4Runner was then pushed into a stopped 2011 Toyota Camry driven by Leyna J. Nguyen, 41, which in turn crashed into a 2000 Mercedes E320 driven by 38-year-old Henry L. Nguyen. Two female passengers in the 4Runner, ages 61 and 52, were hospitalized following the crash. Kuehn was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

My thoughts and prayers are with the passengers injured in this four-car collision. I wish them the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person was killed and 12 were injured in alcohol-related crashes in Woodland. During that same year, there were eight fatalities and 110 injuries reported involving DUI collisions in Yolo County.

Driving Under the Influence

Officials have arrested the driver of the Ford F-150 on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. 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." Under the same section, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. Officials have charged Kuehn with driving with a blood alcohol concentration higher than 0.08 percent.

Holding Wrongdoers Accountable

A victim of a drunk driver may pursue financial compensation for his or her injuries by filing a personal injury claim. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation and other damages. An experienced California personal injury lawyer who has a successful track record of financially pursuing drunk drivers will be able to advise car accident victims about their legal rights and options. 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.