Motorcyclist Stefano Albano Killed in Laguna Beach In DUI Crash

A motorcyclist was hit and killed by a drunk driver Saturday evening. The crash occurred around 10:15 p.m. August 7th near the 2300 block at Laguna Canyon Road. 

The victim has been identified as Stefano Albano, 55, from Corona California. 

In an attempt to pass vehicles in front of him, one of the cars suddenly made a U-turn in front of Albano, causing a collision. The car was driven by 68-year-old Becky Merrifield Ettinger, of Huntington Beach. 

Albano was pronounced dead at the scene. 

After sobriety tests were administered, authorities arrested Ettinger on suspicion of DUI. She was under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. 

Laguna Canyon Road remained closed while an investigation took place.

According to NHTSA, more than a quarter (25%) of accident-related deaths are linked to the use of alcohol. With that being said, according to the CDC, there are 30 people that are killed everyday in a car accident as a result of an alcohol-impaired driver. That is equivalent to one death every 50 minutes.  

It is also important for motorcyclists to be aware of the many challenges they face on the road. Some of these challenges include: reduced visibility by other drivers, smaller size of motorcycle compared to other vehicles, risky driving (speeding), and downshifting.