Suspected DUI Crash Leaves 3 Dead and Six Injured

Placentia, CA – An accident occurred on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, around 8:45 p.m. when a two-vehicle crash left three dead, including a 10-year-old girl, and sent at least six others to the hospital. The collision occurred near the intersection of Orangethorpe Avenue and Melrose Street and involved a dark-colored Honda compact car and a passenger van.

The accident is believed to have been caused by an allegedly intoxicated driver. According to the Placentia Police Department, a 24-year-old Santa Ana man ran a red light before striking the van, which was driven by a pastor taking parishioners home from church. The deceased have been identified as Lucero Lopez, 10, her stepfather Alberto Vicente Lopez, 36, and an adult whose name has not yet been released. The suspected driver has been taken into custody and faces felony DUI charges.

Car Accidents 

Driving under the influence causes over 11,000 preventable deaths each year in the United States. In this horrible accident, those injured, and their families should have their investigative team evaluate all aspects surrounding the collision. This includes reviewing:

• Driver accident history
• Police accident report
• Vehicle accident history
• Any testing of driver for drugs and alcohol
• Any history of driver with drugs and alcohol
• Phone and texting records of the driver
• Video from business park or restaurant at this intersection
• Evaluation if pavement markings are clear and up to code
• Evaluation is road signage is clear and up to code
• All eyewitness accounts of the accident
• Inspection of the road conditions
• Vehicle blind spots
• Driving records
• Accident history at this intersection
• Timing of traffic signals

Car Accident Attorneys  

At The Barnes Firm, our experienced and highly trained car accident attorneys have helped many clients injured in car accidents get the best result possible and have found some common causes of car accidents include:

• Texting and driving
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Aggressive driving
• Inexperienced driving
• Fatigue
• Alcohol or drug involvement

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact an experienced car accident attorney at The Barnes Firm today. From the first phone conversation through to the final settlement, the team of attorneys at The Barnes Firm will work hard for you every step of the way.

Call (800) 800-0000 today for a FREE case evaluation. It could be the best call you make.