The 18th pretrial hearing for Lake Forest resident Betty Diaz, who bees charged with felony manslaughter and child endangerment, was scheduled for last week. The 39-year-old driver, who has Type 1 diabetes, crashed her Chevrolet Suburban head-on into a Toyota Camry, killing Kyung "Connie" Chung, 70 on the afternoon of July 3, 2007.
Diaz likely became confused and disoriented when she suffered a hypoglycemic episode while driving on Irvine Center Drive. She lost control of her SUV, driving over the center divide and into oncoming traffic. Chung was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Diaz and her two kids, ages 8 and 9, were also treated for injuries.
Diaz has had diabetes for more than two decades. She told a physician that on the night before the Irvine car accident, her blood sugar levels were four times above the normal. She says she may have gone too far in trying to bring them down. On the morning of the Orange County, California auto collision, she took insulin on an empty stomach and she'd eaten her last meal the night before.
Diabetics who take insulin must do so before a meal, otherwise the medication can trigger hypoglycemia, which may cause dizziness, confusion, shaking, fainting, seizures, nervousness, anxiety, sweating, light-headedness, anxiety, drowsiness, or weakness. Certain diabetes medications can cause hypoglycemia as a side effect, as can drinking alcohol, skipping or delaying meals, and accelerated physical activity.
Irvine, California Car Accidents
There are many reasons who a motorist can be held liable for Orange County, California personal injury or wrongful death. The driver does not need to have purposely intended to harm the injured party. However, if he/she acted in a manner that was negligent, careless, or reckless, an Irvine car accident victim and/or his/her family members may be able to obtain financial recovery.
Motorists are responsible for not engaging in any kind of behavior that might place pedestrians and other vehicle occupants at risk. You may be able to obtain compensation for medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, funeral costs, cremation costs, lost wages, lost future income, and other damages.
Woman faces charges after diabetic episode, OC Register, January 22, 2010
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