San Bernardino Drunk Driving Accident Kills High School Student
Once again, we see the destruction that drunk driving accidents cause, and this time we’re left with a series of “what if” questions about the deceased. Victoria Lemus, a promising 16-year-old high school student, was killed on Saturday after being involved in a car accident in San Bernardino.
Victoria, who had just finished her sophomore year, had chosen to attend campus for the first day of a fall peer leadership training program. She had just been honored at a Rotary luncheon, recognizing her as a member of the Club’s Life scholars on Tuesday. As she left the venue with two other people in a Kia Sedona, a red Chrysler, driven by Dwight Dalton Davis, a Los Angeles resident, ran a red light, and collided with the Sedona at the intersection between Fifth and E Streets in downtown San Bernardino. The 16-year-old was trapped in her van, and suffered serious injuries from the impact of the car accident. She was rushed to hospital where she later died from her injuries.
After the drunk driving accident, 55-year-old Davis tried to run away from the scene of the car accident, but was apprehended and was administered a blood alcohol test. He was found to have at least a .08 blood alcohol level, besides being under the influence of cocaine. Not only was the man driving under the influence of a dangerous mix of drugs and alcohol, but he was also, some witnesses have claimed, trying to push his female passenger out of the car just before he caused the drunk driving accident. He has been charged with DUI causing injury, and attempting to leave the scene of the accident. Unbelievably enough, in spite of all this, David has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Now that Victoria’s dead, prosecutors will also likely amend the charges to manslaughter.
According to police, the man has a previous arrest to his name for the possession of drugs for sale. There’s also a chance that his charges could be elevated to murder if the reports of him attempting to push a passenger out of a moving car are proved. That would be regarded as a crime, separate from drunk driving, and Davis is looking at the prospect of extended jail time.
While Davis waits to get exactly what he deserves, the Lemus family is putting on a brave face, trying to deal with the enormity of their loss. They have spent four excruciating days in the hospital as their doctors have tried their hardest to keep Victoria alive, at least long enough to say goodbye, and all in vain. Victoria was a budding poet and novelist, a spirited girl with a clear vision for her future, and the difference she wanted to make to the world. There’s something obscenely unjust about a bright, intelligent, active young girl being felled in the prime of her life, and a coke user and drug dealer surviving unscathed to wreak more havoc on other drivers. Spending a few years in the comfort of prison could actually be too light a punishment for what this man has taken away from society. The Lemus family should claim compensation for the loss of their bright young child.
The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of drunk driving accidents. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.
