Ruben Baltazar Arrested For DUI Pedestrian Accident at Jersey and 18th Avenues in Lemoore
Ruben Baltazar Arrested after Lemoore Pedestrian Accident at Jersey and 18th Avenues
Lemoore, California (June 12, 2019) – A pedestrian was killed early Monday morning in an alleged DUI accident in Lemoore, according to California Highway Patrol.
The tragic crash occurred at about 1:30 a.m. Monday, June 10 near the intersection of Jersey Avenue and 18th Avenue.
CHP said the pedestrian, a 42-year-old man, was walking in the westbound lane when for an unknown reason, he was hit by a 2013 Kia Soul that was traveling westbound.
The pedestrian, who has not been identified pending notification of next of kin, was pronounced dead at the scene.
DUI Suspect Ruben Baltazar Arrested After DUI Pedestrian Accident in Lemoore
The driver of the Kia, identified as Ruben Baltazar, 51, was arrested and booked into the Kings County Jail for charges of gross vehicular manslaughter with a DUI and a DUI causing bodily injury, both felonies with a bail set at $115,000.
Hilda Baltazar, 48, who was a passenger in the Kia, escaped injury.
The crash remains under investigation.
Our sincere sympathies go to the family and friends of the person killed in the crash. We wish them courage during these trying moments of losing their loved one.
Every year, several traffic accidents are reported in California. Unfortunately, accidents result in many fatalities and even more injuries. The causes of these traffic accidents range from distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, reckless driving, bad weather, wrong-way driving and failure to observe traffic laws. It is evident that negligence on the part of motorists is the leading cause of these accidents.
The law requires drivers to slow down and give the right of way to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.
Investigators will inspect the vehicle involved for mechanical issues or system failure and analyze photographs of the site of the crash. They will also determine if the driver was intoxicated as at the time of the accident.
The final results of the case will determine if a family member may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit and receive compensation.
We at Pacific Attorney Group will work with you to protect your rights and assist you on your recovery.
If you are the victim or a family member and you would like a free copy of the police report, contact Pacific Attorney Group. Please Click to call : 1-800-358-9617
What You Need to Know about Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are always the most vulnerable segment of traffic. Data collected by The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) indicates that about 5000 pedestrians are killed in accidents and over 70000 injured annually. Although motorists shoulder most of the blame for these types of accidents, pedestrians are sometimes liable for these accidents.
In the event of an auto-pedestrian accident, parties are encouraged to note down as much information as possible about the accident. It is also a good idea to take pictures of the scene incident. Witness statements and police reports are also very important and should be collected promptly. The injured party can then approach a qualified personal injury attorney who will help them evaluate and pursue a claim. The injured pedestrian may recover damages including past and future wage loss, pain and suffering and all past and future medical expenses. If a pedestrian is killed in the collision, their families can pursue full compensation for their economic losses resulting from the death.
