A woman who was run over in a San Diego car accident by a suspected DUI driver the morning of November 23, 2009 was identified as 36-year-old Kristen Bedard in a 10news report. According to the news article, Bedard was walking north on Community Road in Poway, California, when a car struck her. Becky Marie Anderson, 44, was driving south on Community and left the roadway and hit Bedard who was walking on the sidewalk, authorities said. San Diego County Sheriff's deputies administered a sobriety test to Anderson after the fatal injury accident. She was then arrested on charges of vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.
My heart and prayers go out to all those who knew and loved Kristen Bedard, the unfortunate victim who suffered catastrophic injuries in this car accident. I offer my deepest sympathies to her family for their immeasurable loss.
San Diego DUI Statistics
In 2007, there was one fatality and 18 injuries involving alcohol-related car accidents in Poway, California, according to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Also, 116 fatalities and 2,068 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of in DUI car accidents in San Diego County. 51 deaths and 1,068 injuries occurred countywide the same year that involved pedestrian accidents.
Going by this news article, it seems to me Anderson was responsible for the collision. She completely disregarded the safety of the others who shared the road with her and in this case, the safety of Bedard who was actually walking on the sidewalk. If Anderson is found to be at fault for causing this horrific accident and fatality, then, she should be held civilly and criminally responsible and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Bedard family has suffered tremendously due to the negligent and reckless actions of this DUI suspect. The family deserves to be compensated for their loss.
California Laws Regarding DUI
California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a) states: "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle." It is also illegal for any person with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or more to drive a vehicle.
Based on this news account, Anderson faces vehicular manslaughter charges. This is because of California law that charges a driver who causes the death of another person due to driving under the influence. According to the California Penal Code section 191.5 (a): "Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence."
In this case, if I were a family member of the victim, I would definitely want to contact a reputed San Diego personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased car accident victims will be able to file a wrongful death claim seeking damages for medical/funeral expenses, loss of earnings and other related damages. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can also help the victim's family seek compensation through their insurance coverage in the event Anderson lacks sufficient insurance or is uninsured.
We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.
