Two summers ago, a promising teenage girl was riding her skateboard home from work when she was struck by a drunken motorist. 

The girl died as a result of the pedestrian accident and the motorist, a local doctor, was charged with vehicular manslaughter but was later found guilty of only a DWI misdemeanor because he argued that he didn’t know he hit someone.

Despite the single count of misdemeanor, he was not convicted for the vehicular manslaughter nor was he convicted for leaving the scene of the accident. Although he is serving time at a local correctional facility, the ruling caused uproar in the local community who hosted a fundraiser and built a park in honor of the young woman’s memory.

It also prompted state legislators to propose a bill that will hopefully put a stop to what many legislators call an abuse of a legal loophole in the state’s law. The law is called “Alix’ Law” in honor of the teenage girl who lost her life unnecessarily. The law passed in the State Senate last year but stalled during assembly. Fortunately, it finally passed the House and is one step closer to becoming officially booked.

The legislation would not allow suspects in a hit-and-run to be cleared of leaving the scene regardless if they didn’t know that they hit something or someone. With the growing cases of offenders leaving an accident scene in upstate New York, the new law will give much needed help to police officers who struggle to keep up in finding suspected drivers.

Through local efforts, this much needed new law will be passed. As such, it is amazing how legislators and a local community can work closely to improve the safety of everyone in the state.


Keywords: Alix Law

Alcohol and driving just don’t mix. This is especially true in a state known for having so much pedestrian traffic like California. The state is dubbed as one of the most dangerous for fatal pedestrian accidents and hit-and-runs according to recent independent studies. Despite repeated warnings and an increased police effort, many are still engaging in drunk driving and more are suffering from wrongful death incidents.

Victims of negligence and reckless driving should seek the advice of a legal professional for assistance. Financial compensation is available to victims and their families for medical expenses, loss of wages and the pain and suffered brought on by the possible loss of a loved. A related fatal accident story in Orange County which resulted in the death of three relatives is making headlines throughout California.

A 40-year-old Orange County man was arrested in connection to the deaths of three women on their way home from a baby shower. The man is twice over the legal blood-alcohol limit when his car hit the pedestrians. A 56-year-old woman was killed at the scene while her daughter and niece, both 21-years-old, were rushed to a nearby emergency but later died of their serious injuries. The accused driver and a female passenger were also injured.

Police told sources that the man saw the women but failed to stop in time, barely slowing down only before striking the three at high speeds. The impact caused massive and severe injuries that caused their deaths.

Three counts of vehicular manslaughter causing death with gross negligence while intoxicated were laid against the man. The Orange County district attorney’s office also filed two other felony counts of DWI. Other charges are also being prepared. If convicted, he could face 12 years and eight months in state prison. He is being held on a $500,000 bail. An arraignment is already scheduled.

You’d think that disabled motorists could just get away with a slap to the wrist if they commit serious road offenses -- simply because they are disabled. Well, this is a big "NO." Naivety is not a legal excuse either.

In reality, such behavior is a form of neglect that is not tolerated by local traffic enforcers. After all, driving while either disabled or impaired or distracted is among the biggest reasons for car accidents in the U.S. Often, victims are left with fatal injuries.

One related case is going to trial. A 58-year-old man is facing serious charges for the death of a 64-year-old woman last year. The accident occurred less than an hour northwest of Pittsburgh, in nearby Leechburg, Armstrong County.

According to court documents, the man was a registered person with disability and legally blind at the time of the accident. Despite advice from the man’s physician to discourage him from driving, the man operated the vehicle anyway that struck the woman, a local librarian, who later died in the hospital.

Police weren’t pleased citing the fact that the man knew his eyesight did not meet state standards. The man, a construction worker, has a degenerative eye condition currently being treated.

He is charged with felony including a count of vehicular homicide and aggravated assault; involuntary manslaughter; two counts of simple assault; careless driving; and reckless driving that caused unintentional wrongful death.

As a penalty, he is liable for fines, and suspension of his driving privileges. He could also qualify for a minimum jail sentence provided he had prior convictions on similar charges or of DUI.

Local authorities do not condone reckless driving of any kind. Whether it is due to alcohol or failing eyesight, those that operate their vehicles should do so at their own peril. Officer will arrest and charge anyone who runs the risk of causing serious accidents as well as those who actually committed such.

About The Author

Victor Dela Casa is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry. Earned degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and Business Administration Honours from Eastern College. Currently based in the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a multi-national business processes firm.

keywords: fatal accidents, reckless driving, disabled motorists