A Rancho Cucamonga resident died Sunday night after a head-on collision on Church Street in Rancho Cucamonga, police reported. The accident occurred at about 9:13 p.m. on Church Street, near the intersection of Elm Avenue. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, the victim, Paul Martin, 64, of Rancho Cucamonga, was driving east in his 2007 Hummer H3 on Church Street near Elm Avenue. At the same time Albert Ruiz, 23, of Rancho Cucamonga, was driving his 2005 Nissan Sentra westbound on Church Street.
Ruiz's Nissan reportedly struck the north curb and then crossed the center median and into westbound traffic. The front of the Sentra collided with the driver's door of Martin's Hummer. Both Martin and Ruiz were transported to local hospitals. Martin died of his injuries at San Antonio Community Hospital. Ruiz was treated for minor injuries at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton and later booked on charges of Vehicular Manslaughter, PC 192(C)(1) at the West Valley Detention Center.
Cause of the Crash
The Rancho Cucamonga Major Accident Investigations Team is investigating the cause of the June 13th accident. According to the San Bernardino Sun, blood tests taken at the hospital showed Albert Ruiz's blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit. Ruiz is facing criminal charges for this accident and the resulting death of Paul Martin.
Wrongful Death Liability Considerations
In addition to the criminal charges, Ruiz may also potentially be held civilly liable and financially accountable his actions in a wrongful death claim, along with any other parties responsible for this drunk driving crash. While this sadly preventable accident remains under investigation, the family of Paul Martin would be well-advised to contact a skilled California wrongful death attorney about this suspected DUI accident and the family's legal rights, and holding the at-fault driver accountable. Compensation from a wrongful death claim can include monetary damages for final medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, anticipated future income of the decedent, and loss of love, care and companionship. In some situations where a driver is drunk, additional punitive damages may also be obtained.
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