San Jacinto, CA (June 21, 2024) – A tragic accident occurred when Antonio Cervantes, 36, of Hemet, crashed his vehicle after fleeing a DUI checkpoint in San Jacinto.
Accident Details: The incident occurred around 10:11 p.m. at the San Jacinto and Esplanade Avenues intersection. Cervantes tried to evade a DUI checkpoint on San Jacinto Avenue, just north of Midway Street. Despite the distance of approximately half a mile, Cervantes lost control and collided with another vehicle. The crash left one vehicle overturned and trapped both drivers inside their respective cars. Responders arrived promptly and extricated the occupants. Both individuals sustained severe injuries. Tragically, Cervantes was pronounced dead at Riverside University Health System Medical Center, while the other driver is expected to survive.
Legal Considerations: As a personal injury lawyer, I find that several aspects warrant further attention. Cervantes’s driving behavior must be considered. Whether Cervantes was under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be determined by toxicology reports. If intoxicated, this would contribute significantly to his responsibility for the accident and its consequences. Assessing the speed at which Cervantes was driving and whether he was able to maintain control of his vehicle is critical. High speeds and reckless driving often lead to catastrophic outcomes, increasing the severity of collisions and injuries. However, other aspects must be explored despite any potential fault on Cervantes’s part. His vehicle should be examined to see if any mechanical defects or failures contributed to him losing control of the car and crashing. If so, the car manufacturer or service provider may have some liability. Similarly, any road defects that caused Cervantes to lose control may implicate the liability of the local municipality. If third-party negligence is found, Cervantes’s family may be able to file a wrongful death suit. Any negligence on Cervantes’s part may implicate California’s comparative negligence laws but would not prohibit his family from recovering compensation from the other negligent parties.
My condolences go to Antonio Cervantes’s family and friends during this difficult time. I wish the other driver a fast recovery.
Source: The Press-Enterprise