Rafael Duarte Arrested Brentwood Crash Highway 4
8 Injured in Brentwood Wrong-Way DUI Crash on Highway 4
BRENTWOOD (July 16, 2017) – Several were injured, including an elderly woman and an infant, after a wrong-way crash on Highway 4 Saturday night, according to East Bay Times.
The collision involving a minivan and a suspected stolen vehicle took place around 8:05 p.m.
As per the article, California Highway Patrol said 24-year-old Rafael Duarte was allegedly speeding east on the westbound lane of Highway 4 at Sand Creek Road when the Honda Accord he was driving struck head-on a Honda Odyssey minivan. The car overturned onto its roof down an embankment while the van sustained major front-end damage.
All seven people in the minivan, three of them were children from San Francisco, were injured following the accident. Two girls, ages 10 and 2, survived with minor wounds, while a 1-year-old girl was taken to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland for precautionary measures.
The 30-year-old man operating the Odyssey at the time suffered injuries described as moderate, while two of his other passengers, a 34-year-old woman and a 72-year-old woman, had minor injuries. The three patients were transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.
San Francisco Chronicle wrote that another occupant in the Odyssey, a 61-year-old woman, and a 22-year-old male passenger in the Accord were seriously hurt. The man was brought to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley for treatment.
Meanwhile, CHP affirmed the Accord was reportedly stolen out of Concord on Saturday morning. Duarte was treated for minor wounds and was later arrested on suspicion of felony DUI, driving and possession of a stolen vehicle, driving without an active drivers’ license, driving without vehicle insurance and driving the wrong-way on a highway causing injury. The Oakley man remained in the County Jail in Martinez with a bail set at $110,000
The victims in this traffic accident are entitled to a personal injury lawsuit against Mr. Rafael Duarte. Aside from driving the wrong-way, the motorist was suspected to be under the influence and of possessing a stolen vehicle when the crash occurred. With all these factors to be considered, the injured parties have a strong claim on the damages inflicted by the driver, including existing hospital bills, future medical needs, lost wages and property losses.
We at Johnson Attorneys Group are best at representing victims of injury auto accidents throughout California. We understand that this situation causes great stress and leaves the victims confused regarding their legal rights. Our experienced Contra Costa County car accident lawyers are here for you every step of the way and to assist you in proceeding on with your personal injury lawsuit. We will bring all our expertise to your case and help you get the settlement and justice you deserve. Give us a call today at 800-235-6801 for a free consultation.
