Founder and Managing Partner
What caused the deadly California collision the day before the 15th anniversary of 9-11?
Sometimes it seems as if we will never conquer the problem of people driving while impaired. We read daily reports about horrible accidents that could have been avoided if only people would refrain from drinking alcohol or taking drugs when they are about to drive. With all the catastrophic occurrences that we cannot prevent — natural disasters, epidemics, terrorist attacks — it seems ridiculous that we cannot convince a certain proportion of the population to refrain from driving when they are not fully functional.
A Case to Remember
A grave example of this type of destructive behavior occurred on Sept. 10 on southbound I-15 at Scripps Poway Parkway near Mercy Road in Temcula. There were four people in the Honda that was hit: a 64-year-old grandmother, her two granddaughters, ages 2 and 5, and the children’s mother. The car was hit by a suspected drunk driver who fled the scene; and, subsequently by a pickup truck. The grandmother and the 2-year-old were killed.
If you are seriously injured in a collision caused by a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, of if a member of your family suffers a wrongful death as a result of such an incident, you should contact an excellent personal attorney injury as soon as possible to make sure your rights are protected and that you receive the substantial compensation you deserve.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident in question happened at 1:45 a.m. The Honda that had been hit, was left disabled in traffic. To exacerbate the tragedy, the driver of a pickup truck didn’t see the Honda in time and slammed into it at full speed.
Apparently, the original suspect stopped briefly on the right shoulder of the freeway, then fled the scene. The Honda was so mangled by the two collisions that first responders had to mechanically extricate the family from the wreckage. The older woman and the younger girl were, tragically, pronounced dead at the scene. The mother and her older daughter, who were originally treated at the accident site, are now being treated in two different hospitals. The driver of the pickup truck was not injured, but his passenger is receiving medical treatment.
The highway patrol officers had to shut down several lanes on the southbound side the freeway following the hit-and-run. They also began an expedited search for the driver of the Cadillac who had caused all the carnage.
Tow Truck Driver Locates Suspect
The hit-and-run driver has now been identified as 31-year-old Grant Steward Thoren. Throren was brought to justice by the tow truck driver who towed him, ironically enough, to a sober living home in Vista. As the case developed, it was determined that Thoren exited the freeway after the accident, drove to a gas station, and had his car towed to his residence. The tow truck driver, unaware at the time, later heard the news report of the fatal hit-and-run, and contacted the authorities.