Jaime Perez (Full Name: Jaime Lopez Perez), of Pleasanton, Died In San Jose Car Accident With Drunk Driver on Hellyer Avenue
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA (September 8, 2022) – A man identified as Jaime Perez died in a San Jose car accident after being hit by a drunk driver on Hellyer Avenue.
Santa Clara County officials are saying that the incident began around 3:30 a.m. on September, 3. Jaime Perez was involved in a collision with parked vehicles.
After he got out of his Toyota, he was struck by a 2000 Dodge truck. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
Sadly, Jaime Perez was pronounced dead at the scene. Police arrested the driver who hit him on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter.
A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In San Jose DUI Car Accidents
Driver intoxication remains one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States. Nearly one third of all fatal collisions involve an intoxicated driver. According to the NHTSA, “Every day, about 32 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 45 minutes. In 2020, 11,654 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from 2019.” Many people drive drunk dozens of times before they are eventually caught. There are many substances besides alcohol that could potentially intoxicate a driver.
- Marijuana
- Prescriptions
- Benzodiazepines
- Over-the-counter medications
It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 23152, no person shall operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Drivers of commercial vehicles are held to an even higher standard. They must not operate a vehicle with a BAC of 0.04% or higher. There is a presumption of negligence on the part of any person who hits a pedestrian while intoxicated.
Many pickup trucks are used for commercial purposes. If the driver of a pickup truck was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. In general, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any pedestrian collision.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
When a drunk driver kills a pedestrian, they can be held accountable through a criminal and civil claim. The family of the victim can seek aid through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the unexpected expenses that can come with the sudden loss of a loved one. A wrongful death attorney can examine the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A San Jose DUI Car Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jaime Perez. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a San Jose DUI car accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that drunk drivers are held accountable for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
