Tag Archives: drunken driving

Two Arrested after Separate Laguna Beach Crashes

Two men were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after separate Laguna Beach Crashes.

The first crash took place at 10:03 p.m. on Monday on Park Avenue. The vehicle was a black Volkswagen Passat. Huntington Beach resident Ricardo Berge, 18, was driving the vehicle. He was driving downhill and lost control at a curve. The vehicle hit the curb and the car flipped. It rolled over and stopped. When police and firefighters arrived at the scene of the accident, Berge was outside the vehicle. Berge and an 18 year old passenger were transported to Mission hospital in Mission Viejo with injuries. Ricardo Berge was later arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence.

The second crash took place at 12:199 a.m. on Tuesday on South Coast Highway. A white scion was heading south on south Coast highway. It then veered into opposite lanes and crashed into two unoccupied parked cars. These cars were a red Nissan Cube and a white Ford Mustang. There was moderate damage done to these cars. The driver was a Laguna Niguel resident, John Cole Con Hoogenstyn, 25. He sustained a bruised hand. John Cole Von Hoogenstyn was later arrested on suspicion of felony DUI.

Thankfully more people were not injured in this crash. Accidents involving drunken drivers are usually quite severe. Drunken drivers have delayed reaction and impaired vision. Accidents involving drunken driver are usually more serious and often fatal.  Unfortunately, accidents involving drunken driver are quite common. Every 90 seconds, a person is injured in a drunken driving accident. One in three people will be involved in an alcohol-related accident. In 2011, 9,878 people died in drunken driving crashes. This is approximately one death every 53 minutes.

If you have been drinking, be responsible and do not drive. There are always taxi services. Before you drink, you should have a designated driver. You can also hire designated driver services. Designated driver services allow you to hire a driver to hire you for the night or longer. When alcohol is involved, it is important to be responsible and think ahead.

If you are ever in an accident involving a drunken driver, contact a Laguna Beach car accident lawyer. The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is ready to help you with your case. Our skilled legal team will guide you through all the legal proceedings. Contact us today for a free consultation. There are absolutely no charges until your case is won

Suspected Drunken Driver Hits OCTA Bus in Anaheim

A suspected drunken driver collided into the back of a public bus late Friday night.

The suspected drunken driver injured herself and four others. The driver was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. She collided into an Orange County Transportation Authority bus at around 11:15 p.m. The collision took place on La Palma Avenue just east of Harbor Boulevard

The driver had one passenger. Both she and the passenger were treated for minor injuries from the accidents. Two passengers on the pass had to be taken to a hospital for treatment. An additional bus passenger was treated for minor injuries at the scene of the accident. Uninjured passengers were transferred to another bus. After the accident, the driver of the car was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.

Drunken driving is a serious issue. This weekend was a 4 day weekend for many people. At all these Fourth of July parties, there was sure to be a lot of alcohol. Unfortunately, this means that there is an increase of drunken drivers on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, Fourth of July is the worst day of the year for fatal crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association found that 40 percent of all highway deaths between 2007 and 2011 were caused by drunken driving over the Fourth of July weekend.

A drunk driver endangers everyone on the road. When you are impaired, you have delayed reaction and impaired judgment. This increases your risk of accidents. An empty road can still be dangerous for a drunken driver. A drunken driver could easily lose control and collide into a pole or wall.

Drunken driving can also be quite expensive. If you are lucky enough to avoid an accident, you could be arrested for a DUI. A DUI arrest can increase insurance premium significantly. You may also have to pay fines, court costs, and DMV fees. A DUI can costs anywhere between $5,000 and $25,000. You may even have difficulty finding a job after a DUI arrest.

If you know you will be drinking, you should find a designated driver. A designated driver can be a friend or a family member. You can even just call a cab. Whatever you choose to do, you should make sure you have a safe ride home.

Contact an Anaheim car accident lawyer if you are involved in an accident. Do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Dara Khajavi.

 

Huntington Beach High Graduate Fights Drunk Driving

Micayla Vermeeren, a soon to be of Huntington Beach High school, is fighting drunk driving.

Vermeeren created a free designated-driving service on Facebook called HB on Call. The 18-year-old senior was inspired to take action by the recent drunk driving incidents in Hunting Beach. Her service is not trying to condone or prevent underage drinking or drug use. The service is meant to be a safe way for people to get home.

The Facebook group has around 180 members. Some of these members are volunteers who give rides to intoxicated individuals. The members are mostly high school students from Huntington Beach Union High School District. There are at least two volunteers from each school in the district. The Facebook originally started at Huntington Beach High School, but it has branched out.

There have already been students that have used the program. Vermeeren expects an increase of calls when all the schools are let out. Vermeeren makes sure that all volunteer drivers are licensed and have nod riving restrictions. Volunteers are also allowed to bring another sober person with them.

Huntington Beach Assistant Principal Jason Ross was impressed by Vermeeren’s actions.  He supports HB On Call as a precautionary tool. Huntington Beach Police Lt. Mitch O’Brien has also supported the program, but he urges parents to check with insurance companies in case of any issues. He is also stated that high school kids may not be the best volunteers for the program.

After Vermeeren graduates, she will pass on the responsibilities to incoming high school seniors and other underclassmen. She hopes that the program will be kept alive. Ross is planning to assist Vermeeren in working with Huntington Beach’s PTSA to improve the program.

Unfortunately, drunken passengers may be dangerous to drivers. Drunk passengers can be very belligerent and dangerous.  An incredibly intoxicated group of individuals may be a liability for drivers. It is important for any designated driver to be cautious and careful while driving drunken passengers. It is a good idea to have another sober friend along. As the designated driver, you are responsible for the drunken passengers. If one of your passengers is obviously intoxicated, you may get pulled over and be ticketed. It is important to take the responsibility of designated driver very seriously.

If you are ever in a car accident because of a drunken driver, do not hesitate to contact a Huntington Beach car accident lawyer.

Gotcha Surfwear Co-founder Arrested

Retired professional surfer and Gotcha surfwear co-founder has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and cocaine possession after a traffic accident.

Michael Elliot Tomson of Laguna Beach was charged with two felony counts of DUI and possession fo a controlled substance. He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of being under the influence of drugs.  He was released after he posted $100,000 bail.

Authorities received a call around 9:17 a.m. Monday morning. The caller reported a traffic collision between a 2008 Mercedes E550 and a 2008 Nissan Rogue. The collision was at Glenneyre and Calliope streets in Laguna Beach.

The suspect was driving the Mercedes. He was heading south on Glenneyre. He rear ended the Nissan. A 65 year old woman was driving the Nissan. She was hospitalized for minor to moderate injuries.  Tomson was not injured. Glenneyre was closed for two hours, while investigators examined the scene.

Tomson has had issues with driving under the influence before. In October 2012, he was pulled over for speeding.  He was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in December 2011. Tomson was also arrested for resisting an officer in October 2011.

Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in this collision. Tomson was driving under the influence and could have seriously injured other people on the road. Drivers under the influence have delayed reaction and flawed judgment. Accidents involving impaired drivers often serious and even fatal. Every year thousands of people die because of impaired drivers.

If you see a reckless driver on the road, you should pull over when it is safe. Try to note the car’s model, license plate, and the location. It also helps to remember how the driver is driving. Is the driver weaving in and out of lanes? Is it driving on the other side of the road? This information is helpful to the authorities. Don’t hesitate to report a reckless driver. You could save a life and prevent serious injuries and damage.

If you are the victim of an impaired driver, immediately contact a Laguna Beach car accident lawyer. Injuries from car accidents are often serious. These injuries can require extended stays at hospitals and intensive physical therapy. You may not be able to even work. Insurance may be able to cover some of these costs, but a car accident lawyer can help you seek maximum damage