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.
A 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.
Sharma, a passenger in the vehicle, 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, Angi's friend, was killed in the collision. The group, 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. Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, said, "In the aftermath of a collision, information gathered at the scene, including statements and physical evidence, plays an important role. How these details are preserved and reviewed can affect how fault and losses are later understood."
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. Stefano Formica, who serves as a national legal analyst for Accident News and is of Bond Legal, noted, "In addition to any criminal case, civil processes may examine the financial impact of a crash. Information such as statements, scene evidence, video footage, and communication data is commonly reviewed to assess how events unfolded and how responsibility is determined."
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).