UPDATE September 30, 2022: The 41-year-old woman who was tragically killed in this collision has yet to be identified, but the driver suspected of DUI has been identified as 41-yaer-old Gabriel Derian of Menifee. He has been hospitalized with major injuries, but is expected to survive. While at the hospital, Derian was informed that he was under arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and DUI resulting in bodily injury or death.
MENIFEE, CA (September 28, 2022) – A three-vehicle suspected DUI wreck at a Menifee intersection that almost killed a motorist was triggered by the driver of an SUV who plowed through a stoplight while possibly drunk at the wheel, authorities said today.
The crash happened just after 3 p.m. Tuesday at Berea and Newport roads, according to the Menifee Police Department.
Sgt. Matthew Bloch said a 41-year-old Menifee man driving a Ford SUV was going westbound on Newport at an undetermined speed when he ignored a red traffic signal and drove straight into the intersection.
A 41-year-old woman driving a BMW SUV was headed south on Berea when she entered the intersection on a green light and was broadsided on the driver’s side by the Ford. This caused her vehicle to impact a Chrysler sedan, whose driver was waiting to make an eastbound turn onto Newport from Berea, Bloch said.
None of the parties was identified.
According to the sergeant, patrol officers were the first to reach the scene and found the victim in the BMW trapped inside the wreckage, unconscious and barely clinging to life.
Officers initiated CPR until Riverside County Fire Department paramedics reached the location and took over, Bloch said. Firefighters freed the woman from the smashed BMW minutes later, and she was taken to a regional trauma center in critical condition. She remained in intensive care Wednesday.
The 55-year-old Menifee woman at the wheel of the Chrysler suffered minor injuries, for which she was treated and released from a hospital, according to the police spokesman.
The Ford driver suffered major injuries and gave indications of being intoxicated, Bloch said. He said the man was hospitalized in serious condition.
The intersection was shut down for roughly three hours while an investigation was conducted and the wreckage was cleared.
[via City News Service]
Liability In Menifee DUI Car Accidents
It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 23152, “(a) It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage to drive a vehicle. (b) It is unlawful for a person who has 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a vehicle.” Even small amounts of alcohol can substantially impair drivers in the following ways:
- Delayed reaction times
- Loss of muscle control
- Impaired judgment
- Lowered alertness
The family of any victim that has been injured or killed in a collision with a drunk driver may have legal recourse through a bodily injury or wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Gabriel Derian’s Menifee DUI Car Accident
We at Accident News Now extend our well wishes to those who were seriously injured in this crash caused by Gabriel Derian, and hope for a speedy recovery. Any person that may have information about what happened should reach out to the police. A thorough investigation must be conducted for the sake of all who have lost so much.
Do you need more information about an accident that took place in Menifee? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. Whether you just have legal questions or need more information about an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (844) 966-0965.