Angi Sharma Injured in Novato DUI Accident
17-year-old driver faces charges after vehicle strikes power pole on San Marin Drive
Angi Sharma, 17, of Rohnert Park, was injured in a suspected DUI car accident on San Marin Drive in Novato, California, on April 11, according to police.
The 17-year-old driver faces driving under the influence charges. Authorities arrested the teen after the vehicle carrying five high school students crashed into a power pole during the early morning hours.
Medical bills are mounting. Sharma suffered a punctured lung, fractured ribs and a leg broken in three places, and is receiving treatment at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Vallejo.
Another passenger in the vehicle was killed in the collision. The group of friends, mostly students at Rancho Cotate High School, were reportedly returning from a party when the crash occurred.
The crash remains under investigation.
The collision on San Marin Drive highlights the severe consequences of impaired driving among teenagers. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "As personal injury attorneys, our job is to provide both legal information and advice to those who have been injured in an accident. We, as car accident attorneys, can help protect your rights and prevent your statements to the police and insurance companies from being used against you"
According to the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, over 1,329 accidents involving serious injuries or death were caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol in 2024.
How will the Novato community respond to this suspected DUI crash?
The involvement of high school students returning from a party raises questions about social host liability and underage drinking. When a driver faces criminal charges, injured passengers and their families often handle a parallel legal process.
What happens next in the criminal and civil investigations?
While authorities pursue the DUI case against the 17-year-old driver, victims have separate avenues for recourse. National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal. "Separate from criminal charges, a victim may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party. In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from a crash scene, and obtain phone and text records of the liable party. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide injured victims during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that driverd who takes the wheel under the influence are held accountable for their actions."
California personal injury framework
California follows a pure comparative fault system. Injured parties may recover damages reduced by their percentage of fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of the crash.
Damages include economic losses (medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation) and non-economic losses (pain, suffering, emotional distress).