Alverta Dunbar Killed in Los Angeles DUI Accident
The 49-year-old woman died after her vehicle was struck by a suspected impaired driver who fled an earlier collision
Alverta Dunbar, 49, was killed in a suspected DUI crash at West Gage Avenue and Normandie Avenue in in Los Angeles’ Harvard Heights neighborhood on Monday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Investigators suspect the driver who caused the fatal collision was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The drivers had just fled the scene of a separate rear-end collision at West Gage Avenue and Vermont Avenue moments earlier.
The driver continued west on Gage Avenue before slamming into a white car driven by Dunbar. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed she died from blunt trauma.
Police have not released the suspect's name. Police have not said if formal charges have been filed or if the driver was taken into custody at the scene.
The intersection was closed for several hours while detectives processed the wreckage.
The crash remains under investigation.
The tragic loss of Dunbar highlights the devastating consequences of impaired driving on California roads. While the LAPD continues to investigate the crash, legal analysts note that independent investigations are important for grieving families seeking accountability.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "When a driver gets behind the wheel impaired, that decision removes any meaningful chance of avoiding a deadly collision at speed. Blood-alcohol testing, reconstruction analysis, and cellphone records frequently tell the complete story of what happened before contact."
"An attorney works alongside investigators to ensure that story is fully preserved and that surviving relatives are not left navigating complicated insurance disputes without experienced legal guidance," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), alcohol-impaired driving caused 1,355 deaths in California in 2023, accounting for roughly a third of all traffic death in the state.
Why did the driver flee the initial crash on West Gage Avenue?
Fleeing the scene of a minor collision often escalates the danger for everyone else on the road, especially when impairment is suspected. When drivers attempt to escape liability for a fender-bender, their erratic driving frequently leads to far more severe secondary collisions.
What are the next steps for the victim's family?
Families who lose a loved one to a suspected drunk driver often face a complex intersection of criminal proceedings and civil liability. While police handle the criminal investigation, civil avenues exist to address the financial and emotional toll. Individuals involved in DUI incidents may have legal options.
Consulting a personal injury attorney can help clarify rights and potential claims.
California wrongful death statute
Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.60, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. California applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.
According to Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal, "The wrongful death process involves extensive paperwork, critical legal deadlines, and difficult conversations, all arriving during a period of profound loss."
"Legal counsel guides affected families through every stage, providing clear explanations and steady support so nothing critical is overlooked."