According to the California Highway Patrol, Sylvia Lopez Garay, the 18-year-old woman who was driving the sport utility vehicle that was involved in a deadly collision with a Greyhound bus on a California highway on Thursday, was under the influence of alcohol. 20 people were injured and six others were killed during the California motor vehicle crash, which occurred before 2am on California Highway 99. The bus was going from Los Angeles to Sacramento.
The SUV had rolled over after striking the median rail and was obstructing the fast lane when the bus collided with it and then struck a Honda CR-V. All three vehicles were pushed off the highway and down a 15-foot embankment. The bus also struck a tree. The impact of the crash broke the bus into pieces.
Killed in the California bus accident were bus driver James Jewett, 57, bus passengers Epifania Solis, 60, and Tomas Ponce, 79, and the three women in the SUV, Stephenie Cordoba, 20,Vanessa Gonzalez, 19, and Garay. Ponce's wife, 77-year-old Areola Ponce, suffered serious injuries. The Honda's driver also was hurt.
The three ladies had come from a dance party at the Starline Club. It was 18-and-over night. The club maintains it has a strict policy against underage drinking.
Orange County, California Bus Accidents
Determining liability in any kind of bus crash can be challenging, which is why it is so important that you are represented by an experienced Orange County, California bus accident law firm. In some cases, it is the bus driver or the bus company who is liable. In other bus crash cases, the other motorist or the manufacturer of a defective motor vehicle part may be at fault.
Bus crashes have also happened because a road was defectively designed, a traffic signal malfunctioned, or there was debris on the road that wasn't cleared away. If a drunk driver was the one responsible for causing the traffic crash, the business that overserved the motorist and/or allowed him/her to get behind the wheel of the vehicle may also be considered as a liable party. There could be more than one party who should be held financially responsible for your traffic injuries.
CHP: SUV driver in fatal bus crash under influence, AP, July 26, 2010
6 die, 20 hurt in Greyhound crash in Fresno, Los Angeles Times, July 23, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Greyhound
Seatbelts for Motorcoach Buses Proposed, News Inferno, November 17, 2009
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