Marine killed in motorcycle accident weeks after return from war

A California man has been arrested in a drunk driving accident that left a U.S. Marine dead. The victim, a 23-year-old man from Union City, had reportedly returned from Afghanistan just weeks before the March 25 motorcycle accident. He was thrown from his motorcycle by a motorist who was reportedly attempting to flee from police officers.

Authorities say that the incident occurred at about 1:10 a.m., as the driver of a blue Mini Cooper was reported to police by an employee at a Taco Bell restaurant. The employee said that the customer was belligerent and appeared to be intoxicated behind the wheel. That driver took off at a high speed on Fremont Boulevard in Fremont, and an officer attempted a traffic stop.

Instead of yielding to police, the driver of the vehicle continued on Fremont Boulevard, smashing into the motorcycle and then careening into a utility pole and fence. The Mini Cooper caught fire at an intersection. It does not appear that the 23-year-old driver of the car suffered any injuries in the fatal crash. That motorist attempted to flee on foot, but he was quickly apprehended on suspicion of drunk driving in the fatal motorcycle crash.

The driver may face serious criminal charges in connection with the motorcycle collision. Those charges could include drunk driving and resisting arrest, but manslaughter could also be considered depending on the results of the man’s toxicology report. Investigators say they are waiting on that information before making any more legal moves.

Victims whose relatives have suffered catastrophic injuries in motorcycle collisions may be eligible for financial compensation from the at-fault driver. An experienced Santa Ana motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to provide additional information for relatives of victims who have been killed in such collisions. Even if the at-fault driver is not convicted of criminal charges, that person may be held financially accountable for the fatal motorcycle crash.

Source: San Jose Mercury News, “Fremont: Marine lance corporal identified as victim struck by possible drunken driver” Natalie Neysa Alund, Mar. 25, 2014