Chanel Lenard, 16, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after she was struck by a van whose driver, officials say, was under the influence and fled the scene of the crash. According to an ABC News report, Chanel and her friend were returning from a party after midnight on April 25, 2010, when 22-year-old Juan Garay who was driving a Mercury Voyager on 154th Street in Compton hit them. Garay apparently left the scene, but neighbors who witnessed the accident gave police a description of the hit-and-run vehicle and suspect. Police located the vehicle with Garay still inside. Officials arrested him and believe he was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. He could face felony DUI, vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run charges.

My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved Chanel Lenard for their tremendous loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to them. I also wish Chanel's friend the very best for a speedy and complete recovery from her injuries.

Alcohol-Related Crashes

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four deaths and 38 injuries involving DUI collisions in Compton. In Los Angeles County as a whole, alcohol-related crashes claimed 258 lives and injured 4,832 people during the same year.

California Car Accident Laws

If the details of this news report are accurate, it appears that Garay violated several laws here. Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is a serious crime under California Vehicle Code section 23152 (a). A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges under California Penal Code section 191.5 (a). Leaving the scene of an accident or hit-and-run is also a violation of California Vehicle Code section 20001 (a) which states: "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."

Protecting their Rights

In such cases, the families of victims would be well-advised to contact a reputed Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and help them pursue their rights. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise victims about how their car insurance policy applies to a hit-and-run crash or in a case where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.

Would you report a hit-and-run driver? Are you more comfortable calling the police or a hot line where you can leave an anonymous tip?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.