DUI Checkpoint locations this New Years Eve
DUI Sobriety Checkpoints
There are a few checkpoints that have already been announced for the New Year ’s Eve celebration. These checkpoints are not the only checkpoints, there may be many more that have yet to be announced.
Tonight, 12-30-11, the City of Newark, CA has announced a checkpoint:
The Newark Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint at Thornton Avenue east of Newark Boulevard along with special DUI Roving Saturation Patrols during this New Year’s Holiday period.
DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint is set for today, from approximately 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday.
Roving DUI Saturation Patrols will be deploying December 29, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 3 a.m.
On New Year’s Eve, the City and County of San Francisco will be holding a DUI checkpoint, located at 8th and Folsom streets, will start at 8:30 p.m. and continue well into 2012, ending at 3 a.m.
Eighth St. at Folsom St. is the location for Avoid the 8’s – New Year’s Eve checkpoint. It will begin at 8:30 p.m. and end around 3 a.m., said traffic Capt. Al Casciato of the San Francisco Police Dept., campaign coordinator.
The checkpoint will be staffed by officers from SFPD, the local area command of the California Highway Patrol, the U.S. Park Police and San Francisco State University police. “All of the police departments that serve this great city have banded together against the death, injury, expense and family harm that drunk or drugged drivers so often cause. We could not be more serious about getting these dangerous people off the road and making San Francisco safer,” Casciato remarked.
“San Francisco has an advantage over other cities in the Bay Area,” he stated. “We’re transit-friendly. Our cabs, limousines, buses, cable cars and trolleys will help people who’ve had too much to drink get home safely. The expense is tiny compared with a DUI arrest and conviction. That can cost many thousands of dollars. It will also appear on your record for 10 years, a red flag to any potential employer, including your current one.”
The 17-day crackdown has four days to go. Police have arrested 84 DUI suspects, up 29 per cent from 65 at this time last year. No one died in an alcohol-related crash during last year’s crackdown. No one is dead so far in this one.
Published by: ginny on December 30th, 2011 | Filed under Criminal Law
Comment now »
40 car pileup in New Orleans
Early this morning there was an auto accident which involved 40 vehicles on the New Orleans border. The accident claimed the lives of two men and 61 others have injuries. The accident closed the intersection for several hours while police and emergency personnel worked to clean up the mess and tend to all of the injuries.
Police reported that they were investigating several motorists’ statements concerning driving into a thick black smoke or a type of fog that severely limited visibility on Interstate 10 in Eastern New Orleans. Those who arrived at the scene after the accident to help stated that they were hearing screams for help from the injured motorists. More specifically, tow truck driver Wesley Ratcliff told a broadcaster that “You just hear all kinds of calls and people screaming for help.” Mr. Ratcliff went on to explain that in his 13 years as a tow truck driver, “this is the worst I’ve ever seen it.”
Interstate 10 is a heavily trafficked area used as a major corridor for several thousands of commuters who enter the New Orleans area every day. This particular stretch is commonly used by people living in the suburbs as well as the Mississippi Gulf Coast area. Officials explain that the highway was still closed in the westbound direction but the eastbound lanes were reopened to allow commuters to travel home at the peak of rush hour traffic.
One of the drivers involved in the accident, Stacie Williams, told a local news team that “I thought it was fog; my husband thought it was smoke… Cars were driving in front of us and before you know it, it seemed as if they had dropped off the face of the Earth.”
Officials stated that seven people were taken to south Louisiana’s top trauma center where several car accident victims were said to be in critical condition, as announced by Marvin McGraw, spokesman for the Interim LSU Public Hospital. A Police officer dispatched to the scene, Gary Flot, stated that 25 of the 61 injured people were transported to hospitals with injuries ranging from minor scratches to critical fatalities. Amongst these injured victims was a firefighter who suffered a minor cut to the face while working at the scene. Officer Flot stated that 37 other victims refused treatment for their minor injuries.
The police spokesman wouldn’t say whether police believe smoke or fog contributed to the wreck, noting the investigation is ongoing.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to think about is saving money to pay for an accident attorney. Accordingly, the Ginny Walia Law Offices handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that if you do not recover, then you will not be charged for any legal fees. Our fee structure is based on a percentage of the amount that we obtain for you. Further, we will work with you to settle your case. Our personal injury attorneys will never settle your case without your authorization. California personal injury lawyers at Ginny Walia Law Offices will do everything possible to settle your accident case out of court without the delay of a full trial.
Published by: ginny on December 29th, 2011 | Filed under Personal Injury
Comment now »
Crackdown on Distracted Driving This Weekend
California Highway Patrol officers in the Sacramento area have been ordered to write as many cell phone tickets as possible. More specifically the CHP spokesman Adrian Quintero ordered officers to write tickets stating that “If someone is driving distracted, we want officers to issue citations.”
In addition to the officers that will be looking for distracted drivers, many plainclothes officers and volunteers with clipboards will be on foot at many major intersections around Sacramento area. Their goal is to look into the passing vehicles and take note of what they are doing in their vehicle. They will be taking this information down and compiling the information for the California Office of Traffic Safety as part of a campaign to understand and combat distracted driving. The plainclothes officers will not be issuing tickets but the fully marked officers will be issuing as many tickets as possible.
The State of California wants people to understand how dangerous distracted driving can be. Thus, the state has launched a campaign to understand and fight distracted driving. Many drivers continue to talk as well as text message on their phone despite the new laws which make such activities illegal. Safety Officials at the California Office of Traffic Safety hope that the message being sent along with the ticket writing will change some people’s driving habits. Officials believe that the failure to listen to the law creates some frustration stating that the ignorance of the law “is pretty blatant now,” Quintero said. Further he stated that “It is kind of scary as well, having our families out on the road.”
In the state of California, it is illegal to write, send, or receive text messages as well as talking on the phone. In fact, if you are caught, the first offense is a $166 ticket. Since the law was passed, the California Highway Patrol has handed out half of a million cellphone citations as well as over 12,000 texting infractions.
Officials are concerned about distracted driving and this concern extends far beyond cellphone activity. During the last crackdown, drivers were observed eating food or reading a newspapers, and these drivers could be cited if that activity affects their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Quintero stated that “The car is supposed to get you from point A to B, not to be used as your bathroom for shaving or putting on makeup. That’s ridiculous.” This zero tolerance period will run for a total of 24 hours, from 6 in the morning on Friday to 6 in the morning on Saturday.
While distracted driving is incredibly dangerous, California State officials say they do not have sufficient data to know how many car accidents are caused by drivers using their cellphones. CHP data indicates that inattentive driving was a contributing factor with the deaths of 217 people between 2009 and 2010, which was only about 4 percent of roadway fatalities. However, safety officials are convinced that the number may be much higher. In fact, extrapolations from a recent federal highway safety analysis suggest that as many as 18 percent of traffic related fatalities could be related to distractions. Officials also point out that driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol still accounts for the highest percentage fatalities in California, at a staggering 29 percent.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to think about is saving money to pay for an accident attorney. Accordingly, the Ginny Walia Law Offices handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that if you do not recover, then you will not be charged for any legal fees. Our fee structure is based on a percentage of the amount that we obtain for you. Further, we will work with you to settle your case. Our personal injury attorneys will never settle your case without your authorization. California personal injury lawyers at Ginny Walia Law Offices will do everything possible to settle your accident case out of court without the delay of a full trial.
Published by: ginny on December 28th, 2011 | Filed under Personal Injury
Comment now »
New Years Eve: Busiest Weekend of the Year for Hospitals
Every year many people celebrate when we change our calendars to a new year. While many are celebrating, the bay area hospitals are preparing for the busiest weekend of the year. This year New Years Eve falls on a Saturday leaving an extra day to sleep in and recover from celebrating the night before. Since the holiday falls on a Saturday, it is expected that this celebration will be worse in terms of accidents and fatalities than last year.
New Years Eve is a day where many people celebrate with alcohol and there are typically many deaths, fights, and avoidable accidents. Last year in San Francisco there was around a 50 percent increase in the number of patients seen over the previous year. More specifically there were more than 100 911 calls in San Francisco alone. Last year New Years Eve fell on a Friday which caused the spike in the number of injuries. Since this year the holiday falls on a Saturday, officials are expecting that the number of accidents and injuries could be much higher this year.
Bay area emergency room workers and doctors are now bracing for what they expect to be the busiest weekend of the entire year. Dr. Malini Sing, the interim medical director for SF General stated that “We’re already preparing to see more patients… It’s just a reality of New Year’s Eve.”
Alcohol has been a contributing factor in more than half of the injuries that sent people to emergency rooms around the holidays especially when drinking alcohol is a key part in the celebration. The worst alcohol related injuries are typically the cause of drinking and driving. However, doctors and emergency room workers also expect to see bad injuries from other activities while drinking, not just driving. There are typically accidents that occur due to drunken biking, or from falling over or off high places while drunk and ending up with broken bones or head wounds. There are also a number of patients that are admitted to the emergency room due to overdosing on alcohol. Most alcohol overdose patients are typically younger people that do not understand what their limit is. Dr. Steven Polevoi, UCSF medical director for the UCSF emergency department, reassured people that they should be careful when drinking by stating that “I don’t want people to think I’m encouraging drinking, but if you do, you have to drink responsibly.”
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to think about is saving money to pay for an accident attorney. Accordingly, the Ginny Walia Law Offices handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that if you do not recover, then you will not be charged for any legal fees. Our fee structure is based on a percentage of the amount that we obtain for you. Further, we will work with you to settle your case. Our personal injury attorneys will never settle your case without your authorization. California personal injury lawyers at Ginny Walia Law Offices will do everything possible to settle your accident case out of court without the delay of a full trial.
Published by: ginny on December 27th, 2011 | Filed under Personal Injury
Comment now »
Hit and Run Accident Destroys Handicapped Teen’s Specialized Vehicle
An accident involving a handicapped teen leaves the teen without his custom van. The van was a specialized van that was made specifically for Adam Carpenter who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, has seizures, pancreatitis and several other medical issues that have been challenging for Mr. Carpenter to live a normal life.
The California Highway Patrol was dispatched to a call of an incident occurring where someone crashed into a parked van. Officer Bryan Pennings stated that “the individual driving the vehicle collided with the parked van. The impact tore the right front of the van.” After the accident, Officer Pennings informed the press that “The driver fled the scene, leaving the car in the middle of the street.”
Later, the California Highway Patrol was able to find a suspect in the case. The CHP believe that James Arsenault, a 27 year old neighbor of Mr. Carpenter, was the perpetrator of the hit and run. Mr. Arsenault was charged with suspicion of a misdemeanor hit and run accident as well as driving a vehicle without adequate proof of car insurance. It is unknown if Mr. Arsenault had insurance on the vehicle that he was driving which is registered to his girlfriend.
The Carpenter family is devastated by the loss of their handicapped son’s vehicle. In fact, Mr. Carpenter’s father stated that “He literally cannot get around without the van. He’s stuck at home for Christmas break.” At this point, the Carpenter family is looking to replace the vehicle. They have already received a few estimates but the cost to replace the vehicle has been hovering around $32,000. The Carpenters have insurance on the vehicle but they are still not sure if the insurance will cover the specialized modifications. In fact, the handicapped equipment is estimated to cost $23,500 alone. On top of the equipment, the Carpenter family will have to pay for installation.
The carpenter family are adamant that they will get the van restored so that their son can have the freedom to travel and socialize. The family stated that they will restore the van but it may take longer than they desire to come up with the funds. While the accident has caused the teen to stay at home for the holidays, the family is remaining positive and staying strong.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to think about is saving money to pay for an accident attorney. Accordingly, the Ginny Walia Law Offices handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that if you do not recover, then you will not be charged for any legal fees. Our fee structure is based on a percentage of the amount that we obtain for you. Further, we will work with you to settle your case. Our personal injury attorneys will never settle your case without your authorization. California personal injury lawyers at Ginny Walia Law Offices will do everything possible to settle your accident case out of court without the delay of a full trial.
Published by: ginny on December 22nd, 2011 | Filed under Personal Injury
Comment now »
Joe Schmo to Lambo
A while back we shared a story titled “An Expensive Accodent” on our blog. That story highlighted a car accident that occurred involving several Lamborghini and other expensive custom cars. Today, we wanted to share a story about another Lamborghini accident.
A Utah Man, David Dopp, was entered into a contest for a convenience store chain that he frequented. The store was Maverik convenience store and they had a contest titled “Joe Schmo to Lambo.” Mr. Dopp was the lucky winner of a $380,000 lime green Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster.
Mr. Dopp was ecstatic to win the vehicle and immediately started driving on the freeway. Mr. Dopp was also taking friends and family members on joy rides in the Lamborghini. However, on Saturday the vehicle hit ice or gravel and started spinning out of control. The car then collided with many fence posts and finally came to rest in a field. The vehicle had extensive front end damage, a punctured tire and several long scratches along the passenger side. This accident occurred only six hours after Mr. Dopp won the vehicle. Mr. Dopp explained that he will be getting the Lamborghini fixed and will be headed to a Las Vegas body shop for the repairs.
Mr. Dopp and his family were not harmed in the accident. However, Mr. Dopp is now going to be paying several thousand in repairs and he reassured reporters that he will be much more careful once he gets the vehicle back from the body shop.
A Utah man who won a $380,000 Lamborghini in a convenience store chain’s contest says he crashed the sports car six hours after he got it.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to think about is saving money to pay for an accident attorney. Accordingly, the Ginny Walia Law Offices handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that if you do not recover, then you will not be charged for any legal fees. Our fee structure is based on a percentage of the amount that we obtain for you. Further, we will work with you to settle your case. Our personal injury attorneys will never settle your case without your authorization. California personal injury lawyers at Ginny Walia Law Offices will do everything possible to settle your accident case out of court without the delay of a full trial.
Published by: ginny on December 21st, 2011 | Filed under Personal Injury
Comment now »
Deputy Sheriff kills 2 in Pedestrian Accident
Last Friday, two people were hit and killed by Deputy John Swearengin at the intersection of Norris Road at Diana Drive in Kern County, California. The deputy was driving at an extremely high rate of speed without any sirens or emergency lights. The deputy flew through the intersection without seeing 24 year old Danuel Hiler or 30 year old Chrystal Jolley. Both Mr. Hiler and Ms. Jolley were killed in the accident.
Today, there have been few details released from the Sherriff’s department or the California Highway Patrol (CHP). However, a press conference was held on Monday by Kern County Sheriff Deputy Donny Youngblood. At the press conference the Sheriffs department confirmed that deputy Swearengin was headed to a call-out concerning a stolen vehicle at a Hampton Inn Hotel near Meadows Field when the pedestrian accident happened.
At the press conference, Youngblood was asked many specific questions concerning the pedestrian accident. However, Youngblood did not answer all the questions and cited investigative or legal reasons for not being able to answer any questions. The questions that were asked concerned how fast the deputy was traveling, whether his emergency lights were activated, whether his siren was sounding, if he was talking on his cell phone, and whether or not a drug/ alcohol test was requested following the pedestrian accident.
Youngblood stated at the conference that “Whether it was a deputy or a civilian involved in an accident, it is troubling to everyone. It is troubling to me as the sheriff and to the people in the community.” Further, Youngblood released the department policies and procedures regarding emergency driving by stating that: in general, red lights and siren use are limited to emergency situations and pursuits, and the final responsibility for the safe operation of the vehicle will rest with the deputy operating the vehicle.
Following the pedestrian accident, the Sherriffs department placed Deputy Swearengin on paid administrative leave. During the deputy’s leave, the California Highway Patrol agreed to continue the investigation but the investigation could take several weeks and the report will likely be sent to the District Attorney for review. This means that the deputy could potentially be facing 2 counts of vehicular manslaughter.
Deputy sheriffs are heavily trained at the peace officer specialized training course. Further, they are trained in driving carefully. This case demonstrates how accidents can happen to even the most trained driver.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to think about is saving money to pay for an accident attorney. Accordingly, the Ginny Walia Law Offices handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that if you do not recover, then you will not be charged for any legal fees. Our fee structure is based on a percentage of the amount that we obtain for you. Further, we will work with you to settle your case. Our personal injury attorneys will never settle your case without your authorization. California personal injury lawyers at Ginny Walia Law Offices will do everything possible to settle your accident case out of court without the delay of a full trial.
Published by: ginny on December 20th, 2011 | Filed under Personal Injury
Comment now »
Popular Meat Scientist Dies in Car Accident
A well-known meat scientist and popular internet meat guru, Chris Raines, was killed in a car accident Sunday December18, 2011. The meat professor was well known as the author of the meat blog meatblogger.org. Further, many followed the meat scientist on the social networking site twitter with the “handle” iTweetMeat.
The meat professor was only 29 years old when he passed away. Mr. Raines grew up in western Ohio and was a professor at Penn State University. His exact title was the university assistant professor of meat science and technology. Mr. Raines earned a Bachelor’s of science in animal science from Oaklahoma State University in 2004. Mr. Raines also earned a masters in science and a Ph.D in meat science from Kansas State University in 2006 and 2008.
Mr. Raines was involved in a one vehicle fatality accident on Sunday night. Me. Raines was driving in Miles Township, part of the State college, in Pennsylvania. The accident came as a shock to Penn State University and the institution will miss such an intelligent meat scholar.
This story is a sad example of the impact that car accidents have on people. More specifically, the world lost an intelligent meat scholar that had unlimited potential due to a car accident. Cars are dangerous machines and it is important to remember to abide by the laws and keep safe while driving.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to think about is saving money to pay for an accident attorney. Accordingly, the Ginny Walia Law Offices handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that if you do not recover, then you will not be charged for any legal fees. Our fee structure is based on a percentage of the amount that we obtain for you. Further, we will work with you to settle your case. Our personal injury attorneys will never settle your case without your authorization. California personal injury lawyers at Ginny Walia Law Offices will do everything possible to settle your accident case out of court without the delay of a full trial.
Speak to a California personal injury attorney now: If you have been injured in an accident, we can help.
Published by: ginny on December 19th, 2011 | Filed under Personal Injury
Comment now »
Fatal car accident in Redwood City, CA
Early this morning, Monday December 19, 2011, a man was driving his vehicle on interstate Highway 280 in Redwood City, CA. At 1:18 a.m., California Highway Patrol received a call that a car went off the interstate and ran into a tree. CHP also received reports that there was a body on the roadway on the Farm Hill Boulevard off-ramp from interstate 280.
California Highway Patrol Officers responded to the reports of a body on the road and found an approximately 30 year old man with no vital signs. The man was traveling south on interstate 280 when he lost control of his vehicle slightly north of Farm Hill Boulevard. The man then swerved off the road where the vehicle collided with a tree south of the Farm Hill Boulevard off-ramp and the driver of the vehicle was ejected from the moving car and landed on the roadway off ramp.
California Highway Patrol officer Art Montiel was one of the officers on the scene this morning. The officer states that they responded to a call at 1:18 a.m. concerning a body on the road. However, Officer Montiel stated that the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Further, Officer Monitel went on to explain that it appeared that another vehicle collided with the body after it landed on the roadway.
At this point, there is still an investigation underway to determine the exact cause of the accident. However, Officer Montiel stated that alcohol did not appear to be involved in the crash. Officers believe that speed may have been the factor that contributed to the accident and unfortunate fatality. However, officers are still investigating the accident and there may not be a determination as to the cause of the accident until much later.
This example of a car accident with such a tragic ending is one of many in the bay area. Car accidents happen on a daily basis but most do not involve such horrific injuries. During the New Year and the holiday season, it is important to watch your speed and stay safe on the roads.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to think about is saving money to pay for an accident attorney. Accordingly, the Ginny Walia Law Offices handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that if you do not recover, then you will not be charged for any legal fees. Our fee structure is based on a percentage of the amount that we obtain for you. Further, we will work with you to settle your case. Our personal injury attorneys will never settle your case without your authorization. California personal injury lawyers at Ginny Walia Law Offices will do everything possible to settle your accident case out of court without the delay of a full trial.
Speak to a California personal injury attorney now: If you have been injured in an accident, we can help.
Published by: ginny on December 19th, 2011 | Filed under Personal Injury
Comment now »
ICE Agent Convicted of Federal Crimes:
A former agent for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has been convicted on federal crimes. The agent, 55 year old Frank Johnson, was convicted for telling Florida federal prosecutors that a felon was a valuable organized crime informant in an effort to get leniency. Johnston was convicted for obstruction of justice as well as making false statements.
Prosecutors working on this case say that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent made strong attempts to get Abdulahad Touma signed up as a private informant and get him a much more favorable sentencing deal in exchange for a lucrative consulting job.
The potential informant, Abdulahad Touma, was convicted in the state of Florida for purchasing untaxed cigarettes and he was potentially facing upwards of 18 months in prison.
Sentencing was delayed in Johnston’s case due to Johnston falsely stating that Touma was an informant in two criminal investigations into immigrant smuggling and prostitution.
Due to the crimes that he was charged with and the severity of the circumstances, the former ICE agent Johnston faces upwards of 15 years in prison. Johnston will go back to the judge to be sentenced on Jan. 23 of next year.
Twitter
LinkedIn
