A 42-year-old man identified as Segundo Napoles was killed in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say was caused by a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The Long Beach Press-Telegram, the accident occurred the night of November 28, 2009 when 29-year-old Juan Garcia Sotello crashed into Napoles' Toyota Celica. The fatal crash occurred on the transition road from the westbound 105 Freeway to the northbound 710 Freeway in Paramount. Napoles' Toyota struck the curb and then rolled over on an embankment. Napoles was pronounced dead at the scene. Sotello sustained moderate injuries. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

This is no doubt a tragic accident, which must have dealt a devastating blow to the Napoles' family. I offer my deepest sympathies to this family for their tragic loss. Napoles' family and friends will be in my prayers.

Alcohol-Related Car Accidents in Los Angeles

Officials say that Napoles was the fifth person to die on Los Angeles County freeways since the beginning of the Thanksgiving period. There were three deaths and 24 injuries involving DUI car accidents in Paramount, according to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Countywide, car accidents claimed 268 lives and injured 5,169 people in 2007.

DUI Laws in California

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious crime in California. A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges, which usually carry significant jail or prison time. 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."

Families of deceased victims in such cases may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault or negligent party for compensation to cover funeral expenses, loss of wages, loss of love and companionship and other related damages. A truly experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will be able to guide victims and their families through this complicated process.

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.