Melvin Branch Arrested after Fatal DUI Car Crash on 22 Freeway in Garden Grove
Melvin Branch Arrested after Fatal Garden Grove DUI Crash on 22 Freeway
Garden Grove, California (January 2, 2019) – 30-year-old Melvin Cleveland Branch has been arrested after a fatal DUI collision early Tuesday morning in the area of Garden Grove, according to a local news source.
The accident happened a while before 1:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 1, on 22 Freeway east of Valley View Street.
As per the report, Branch was driving a BMW sedan at a high rate of speed on west on 22 Freeway when his car crashed into the rear of a Lexus in the carpool lane. The impact caused the Lexus to hit a sound barrier wall on the right shoulder while the truck BMW slammed into a 2010 Ford F-150 pickup truck.
The truck overturned onto its side and was pushed by the BMW slid across traffic lanes. The two vehicles crashed into a guardrail before coming into a rest. The overturned truck was then hit by a Mazda which was then forced into the median.
Officials said that a 33-year-old Hawthorne woman driving the Ford and her passenger, a 9-year-old Hawthorne girl, died as a result of the collision. Their names have not been yet released awaiting notification of next of kin.
Branch reportedly suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision. He was arrested and booked into jail with a bail set at $100,000 on suspicion of DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
We express our sincerest sympathies to the family of the deceased. We wish them strength as they mourn the untimely death of their loved one.
If you lose a loved one in an accident caused by the negligence of a third party, you are advised to take them to court. A wrongful death attorney will fight for you and ensure that justice is served. Pacific Attorney Group will ensure that you get financial compensation for your injuries, loss of wages and other damages that you might experience. We have an exceptional team of attorneys that will fight aggressively for you until you receive a full settlement. Contact our wrongful death attorney today for a free consultation. You can also reach us via live chat on our website.
If you are a family member of the deceased and would like a free copy of the police report, please contact Pacific Attorney Group at 1-800-358-9617.
