Fatal Crash on Highway 20 due to Impaired Driver 

California Highway Patrol reported a fatal collision that occurred in Clear Lake on Sunday as the result of a drunk driver.

The tragic accident took place on January 16th at 11:55 p.m. on Highway 20. 

Per reports, Patricia Murphy, 31, was traveling westbound in a Volkswagen prior to crashing into a parked Ram 5500 pickup truck.

Murphy allegedly made an unsafe turn and drifted onto the right shoulder. 

Sadly, the 30-year-old male passenger in Murphy’s vehicle died upon impact. 

Their identity is being withheld pending notification of kin. 

Murphy was also taken to Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport for treatment of minor injuries. Following treatment, she was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. 

The crash remains under investigation.

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.  

If your injuries are caused by the negligence of a third party you may be entitled to compensation. In the event of a death, families may also be entitled to wrongful death benefits.

Contact JT Legal Group at (888) 529-3111 if you need legal assistance following an accident.