CHP Investigation Shifts Blame In Fatal San Diego Crash

by juli · Published November 4, 2018 · Updated November 10, 2018

New evidence in a crash on I-8 earlier this year has convinced California Highway Patrol (CHP) that they assigned blame to the wrong driver.

The crash in question took place on February 26, 2018, on an I-5 north transition ramp headed towards I-8 west in San Diego. Allegedly, the driver of a Volkswagen Jetta was traveling east on I-8 west when he smashed into a Toyota Camry.

The driver of the Volkswagen died on the scene of the collision. First-responders were, however, able to transport the driver and passenger in the Toyota to a local hospital for treatment.

The family of the deceased Volkswagen driver had problems with the CHP’s initial findings at the crash site. Family and friends argued that the Volkswagen driver was just getting off work and should’ve been headed towards Ocean Beach.

Upon reviewing the evidence from the crash, CHP believes the driver of the Toyota was to blame for this crash. According to CHP officers, it was the Toyota that was actually headed in the wrong direction. Plus, CHP notes that the Toyota’s driver was DUI at the time of the crash.

Authorities in San Diego have now convicted the driver of the Toyota on numerous charges.

Family members of the Volkswagen driver say they are pleased with this result and thankful to the CHP for their investigative efforts.

According to the Mova Law Group, an injury law firm in San Diego, DUI accident penalties can result in stiff prison sentences. In the crash above, the driver was charged with including murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and felony DUI causing injury or death. California Penal Code Section 191.5(b) tells us that if you’re convicted for killing someone while DUI, you may go to prison for several years, and, in special cases when there’s a wanton disregard for life, you could be charged with a “Watson Murder“, which carries a sentence of 15 – Life in a California State Prison.

If you have questions about any of the above, seek legal counsel for legal advice. The above is simply information and is not actual legal advice.

juli