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.

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A 47-year-old woman was critically injured in a San Francisco car accident, which officials say involved a hit-and-run driver. According to a Bay City News report, the injury collision occurred the evening of February 13, 2012 at the intersection of Mission and 13th streets. The woman was walking south on Mission before attempting to cross 13th Street. She was in the crosswalk on a green light when a white truck hit her. The driver who hit the woman as he was making a right turn onto eastbound 13th Street accelerated and drove away from the scene. He was later identified as 55-year-old Craig Sheppard and arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run and failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The victim was transported to a local hospital with life threatening head injuries.

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Jose F. Monay, 19, and five others from Lompoc were injured in a Santa Barbara County car accident when a 1990 Toyota Corolla left the roadway and overturned. According to a news report in The Santa Maria Times, the rollover accident occurred on Highway 154 east of the Lake Cachuma entrance, the afternoon of February 11, 2012. Officials say the Corolla drifted to the right shoulder and overturned. Evelyn Orozco, 6, suffered major injuries. The driver, Jose F. Monay, as well as passengers Adriane Barnard, 27, Maria Hernandez, 10, Joseph Sandoval, 8, and Erik Orozco, 5, sustained moderate injuries. Officials are investigating the cause of this rollover crash.

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Donna Joyce Clark, 50, was killed in a Victorville car accident after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the roadway. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred the evening of February 10, 2012 at the intersection of Sixth and D streets. Officials suspect that Clark was not in a crosswalk when a vehicle driven by a 28-year-old man hit her. Clark was transported to a local hospital where she died from her injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Donna Joyce Clark for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

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A 46-year-old woman was injured in a San Diego car accident after being pinned underneath a trailer, the evening of February 10, 2012. According to a news report in U-T San Diego, the pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of Loring and Cass streets in San Diego. Officials say the woman exited her car and was crossing the road, when a Jeep pulling a trailer avoided her car but struck her. She was trapped by the trailer and suffered head injuries. She has been listed in critical condition. It is not clear if the 45-year-old male driver of the Jeep will be cited for the collision.

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Officials in Ventura County are still looking for a hit-and-run driver who left three girls seriously injured. According to a KEYT news report, the car accident in Ventura occurred the night of February 4, 2012 along Victoria Avenue in the Silverstrand portion of Oxnard. Officials say Joan Aronson was walking with her two daughters and another girl when the children were struck. The girls were walking in the bike path because the roadway did not have a sidewalk. Two of the victims, including a 9-year-old girl, sustained moderate injuries such as facial cuts and bruises. A 6-year-old girl named Brooke remains in critical condition with spinal, lung, and head injuries.

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A woman and her 7-year-old granddaughter were injured in a Modesto car accident after a pickup struck them. According to a news report in The Modesto Bee, the pedestrian accident occurred at East Whitmore Avenue and Fifth Street in Ceres, the night of February 4, 2012. Officials say a 25-year-old man driving a Chevrolet pickup truck hit the woman and her granddaughter at the intersection. The woman suffered head injuries, cuts and bruises. The granddaughter sustained broken ribs and internal injuries and has been listed in serious condition. It is unclear what caused this accident or if the driver will be cited for the collision.

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Margarita Temblador De Lopez, 53, Francisca Temblador De Raymundo, 58, and 51-year-old Oliverio Lopez were killed and three others were injured in a Sacramento car accident, which officials say involved a drunk driver going the wrong way. According to a News 10 report, the fatal car accident occurred early morning on February 6, 2012 on the westbound side of Highway 50 near Folsom Boulevard in Gold River. California Highway Patrol officials said 41-year-old Christopher Rigsby was driving a Honda the wrong way on the highway when he hit a 2001 Pontiac Aztek traveling west.

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Three girls ages 8 and 6, and 11, were injured in a Ventura car accident involving a hit-and-run driver, the night of February 4, 2012. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the hit-and-run accident occurred near Santa Monica Drive and Victoria Avenue in Oxnard. Police say 50-year-old Joan Aronson was walking with her two daughter and one other girl when a car heading north jumped a curb and struck the three girls. Officials say all three girls suffered serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital for treatment. The driver did not stop after the collision, and continued in the same direction.

Officials are asking for the public’s help in tracking down the hit-and-run driver. The vehicle has been described as a newer silver or gray Japanese-make vehicle with tinted windows and a potentially damaged bumper. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information is asked to call the Ventura office of the California Highway Patrol at 805-477-4100.

My heart goes out to the three girls injured in this terrible hit-and-run car accident. I wish them all the very best for a complete and speedy recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

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A 42-year-old man suffered major injuries in a San Diego car accident after his motorcycle collided with a utility trailer being pulled by a truck. According to a 10News report, the injury motorcycle accident occurred the afternoon of February 4, 2012 on Route 76 near Mile Marker 44. California Highway Patrol officials say, the man was riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle at an unknown speed on westbound Route 76 near Valley Center Road. The motorcyclist suddenly veered out of control into the eastbound lane and entered the path of a Dodge Durango pulling a utility trailer. The truck’s driver, a 56-year-old man, tried to avoid the motorcyclist. But the bike collided with the trailer. The motorcyclist’s left leg was severed near the hip. The victim was airlifted to an area hospital. An investigation is ongoing.

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