A wrong-way driver entered the westbound 10 Freeway in Santa Monica early Friday morning, causing a crash that left at least one person dead.
The accident happened about 1:15 a.m. on the westbound I-10 at Centinela Ave. A red Pontiac was traveling eastbound in westbound lanes.
The driver of the wrong way Pontiac crashed into a Ford that was carrying four teenagers. Three of the teenagers were able to get out of the Ford. They were trying to free the last passenger when their vehicle was hit by a Hyundai, killing one person. At least three other people, including the Pontiac driver, suffered serious injuries and were transported to local hospitals.
The impact between the Pontiac and the Ford sent the Pontiac over the side of the freeway.
The Pontiac driver was arrested for suspected driver under the influence.
CHP have not released any other details at this time.
If you or someone you care about has suffered injury or death as the result of someone else's negligence, you should speak with a lawyer regarding your right to compensation for your losses.
McGee, Lerer & Associates is a Santa Monica personal injury law firm that specializes in serious injury and wrongful death cases. We are a husband and wife team of accident lawyers with almost 40 years of collective experience. An attorney at our firm is available 24/7 for a free consultation.
In the case of a drunk driver, an injury victim can make a claim for punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the negligent party.
In this case, the family of the decedent may have a claim against the driver of the Pontiac as well as the driver of the Hyundai. The Hyundai driver would be liable if that driver should have been able to avoid hitting the disabled Ford. If there is not enough insurance on the Pontiac or the Hyundai, the decedant's family and other injury victims may abe able to make underinsured motorist claims under their own auto insurance policies or under the policy of the driver of the Ford.