Corona, CA (April 29, 2024) – A devastating freeway accident claimed the life of 20-year-old Jose Cornejo Cubias early Monday on the 91 Freeway near the Interstate 15 interchange in Corona. The driver of the other vehicle has since been arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Incident Overview: Cubias was driving his Toyota 4Runner westbound when his vehicle was struck from behind by a Lincoln Mark LT, driven by 34-year-old Christopher Magallon of Santa Ana. The collision occurred around 12:30 a.m. and caused the Toyota to overturn and catch fire, trapping Cubias inside. Despite emergency response efforts, Cubias was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severity of the vehicle fire.
Legal Analysis and Potential Charges: The driver of the Lincoln, Magallon, was arrested at the scene under suspicion of DUI causing injury/death. He was also booked on charges of vehicular manslaughter and is currently held at Southwest Detention Center with bail set at $75,000. Court records indicate that Magallon has no prior criminal history in Riverside County. Formal charges are pending. Based on this information, the family of Jose Cubias may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver for their loss. This claim could help with a variety of damages, including funeral expenses, loss of companionship, emotional distress, and more.
My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Jose Cornejo Cubias. This tragedy serves as a harsh reminder of the consequences of driving under the influence. I hope that the suspected DUI driver is held accountable for their actions in this incident. In the meantime, the family of Jose Cubias has set up a GoFundMe to help with funeral costs and to transport his body back to his parents in El Salvador. Please assist them if you can.
Source: Patch