An 11-year-old Downey girl was tragically killed Friday, April 9, 2010 in a solo-vehicle rollover accident on Interstate 40, east of Barstow, authorities reported. The Barstow City Fire Department and the California Highway Patrol responded to reports of the crash, which occurred just before 8 p.m. on westbound I-40 near Fort Cady Road in Newberry Springs. The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner identified the victim as Caitlyn Montero, 11, of Downey. According to the CHP, Caitlyn's mother, Lori Montero, was driving the family's 2004 Chevrolet when she allowed the vehicle to drift into the center median. She then overcorrected, causing the vehicle to overturn multiple times. Caitlyn was ejected and died at the scene of the crash.
According to reports in the Desert Dispatch, Lori Montero was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. She is facing charges for her daughter's death. Caitlyn's 10-year-old brother and a 43-year-old man in the car were also injured in the crash.
This horrific accident is absolutely heartbreaking, and we are deeply saddened for the death of young Caitlyn. Sadly, her death is only one of several hundred child fatalities every year that result from alcohol intoxication of an adult. An estimated 25% of child fatalities from motor vehicle accidents are alcohol related. Shockingly, 68% of children involved in alcohol-related crashes are in the vehicle with the intoxicated driver.
Child Endangerment Laws
California is one of many states that has a child endangerment statute to punish drunk drivers who transport minors. In non-injury offenses, if a minor passenger is under 14 years old, the state enhances existing DUI penalties by 48 hours in jail for a first offense up to 90 days in jail for multiple offenses. Furthermore, a DUI offender with a passenger who is a minor may also be convicted of child endangerment, which is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, or in state prison for up to six years.
Sources: Daily Bulletin, Press-Enterprise, Desert Dispatch
If your child has been involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver, contact the attorneys at Estey Bomberger for more information and a free consultation of your legal rights.
Rest in Peace Caitlyn!!!!
Rest in Peace, you will be missed Caitlyn.
REST IN PEACE CAITLYN ILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU IN MY HEART WE WILL MISS YOU
YOUR SOCCER FRIEND, BRENDA GUTIERREZ
Enjoy paradise. I guess God needed someone to teach the boys how to play soccer. Be easy on them!
We love you and will always miss you!
Tom & Marija Fudge
caitlyn i love you you will always be in my heart i will miss you so muck
love,
your soccer friend aylin arriola
Rest in Peace Baby Girl. May God be with this family during this horrible time.
Jeannie
To the Montero family.
Our hearts and prayers goes out to you, may GOD BLESS you and your family.We will always have caitlyn in our hearts. our play dauther. Jon , meriah, barbara , Daryl. We are here if you neeed us.
This tragic accident did not occur because of alcohol.... anyone who drives this section of the freeway knows how hypnotic it can be, and therefore causing sleepiness. The driver was dozing off and over- corrected when she felt the vehicle driving off the road. Its not unreasonable for someone to have an alcoholic beverage with their dinner. Lori is only 125lbs. soaking wet. One drink would easily take her over the limit. God be with Caitlyn and her entire family and friends.