A suspected DUI driver involved in a car collision in Petaluma, California, passed away while undergoing treatment. The California Highway Patrol said that Brian Chastain, 29, of Napa died on Thursday morning, August 27th.
CHP Officer David deRutte said the accident happened around 5:40 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25th, on Adobe Road near Sonoma Mountain Road. The car accident report disclosed that Chastain drove a Toyota Camry west on Adobe, before turning abruptly to the right, into the path of Michael Desir, 34, of Petaluma.
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The second driver was heading east in a Ford C-Max. deRutte said that the head-on collision left Desir trapped in his car, and firefighters had to extricate him. Medics took both drivers to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with severe injuries, and medical personnel determined that Chastain’s injuries were more severe and life-threatening.
Officers determined at the time that the victim was under the influence of drugs and charged him with felony driving under the influence causing injury. There is no additional information.
Under California law, when a person facing a criminal charge dies before the trial, the prosecutors would have to terminate the case. However, the victim of the offense may choose to bring a civil lawsuit against the offender’s estate to recover damages for the loss suffered.
In this instance, the estate of the dead offender would pay any damages awarded by the court. Compensation under this head often covers medical bills, loss of income, emotional and psychological trauma, and in some instances, loss of consortium.
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