Last Update: 7/13/2020
Police in Gilroy, California arrested 32-year-old Eduardo Gonzalez after a traffic accident that left a motorcyclist dead and his passenger seriously injured near Gilroy on August 3. Gonzalez was driving a Dodge Durango southbound on Watsonville Road at around 5:30 p.m. when he entered the northbound lane, striking a Harley Davidson motorcycle being driven by 24-year-old Dillon Oliver of San Jose. A 23-year-old passenger was riding on the back of the motorcycle.
Upon impact, both Oliver and his passenger were ejected from the bike. Oliver suffered fatal injuries and paramedics were unable to revive him at the scene. The motorcycle passenger was brought to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center with serious injuries.
Police say Gonzalez attempted to flee the scene immediately following the accident. His vehicle became disabled at the intersection of Watsonville Road and Highway 152. Police arrested Gonzalez on suspicion of DUI and hit and run.
Here is our contributor Jason Amala, a hit by drunk driver attorney, with some thoughts on the legal rights of drunk driving victims in California:
“The victims of drunk driving accidents are often forced to suffer setbacks that can last for years, and in some cases, a lifetime. These victims and the families of victims who have been killed by drunk drivers deserve justice and financial support. A personal injury lawsuit can help provide financial compensation for damages like medical expenses, lost wages, pain & suffering, and more.
California limits third-party liability in drunk driving cases, so victims will usually be filing a lawsuit directly against the drunk driver. However, the state does have social host laws that allow victims of drunk driving accidents caused by underage drivers to sue the individual or business who gave that underage driver alcohol,” Mr. Amala concluded.
Source:
https://gilroydispatch.com/chp-motorcyclist-fatally-hit-by-drunk-driver/