William Brumley arrested in Napa car accident, CHP says
The collision occurred on Silverado Trail near Oak Knoll Avenue and Yountville Cross Road
William Dene Brumley, 68, was hospitalized and faces DUI charges after a multi-vehicle crash on Silverado Trail on Saturday, March 28. Three people died in the incident, the California Highway Patrol said. The crash happened near Yountville and Napa.
Brumley, of Vallejo, was driving a Mitsubishi sedan south around noon when his car crossed the center line near Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, according to the CHP. The Mitsubishi hit an SUV, then crashed head-on into a Toyota sedan in the northbound lane.
Brumley’s two passengers died in the crash. A passenger in the Toyota died after being rushed to Kaiser Vacaville hospital.
Three other people who were traveling in the Toyota remained hospitalized. Two people in the SUV reportedly had minor injuries and were not taken to a hospital.
Investigators arrested Brumley on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He was not immediately booked into the Napa County Jail because he was receiving medical treatment, the agency said.
The Napa County Sheriff's Office is assisting with the investigation. Authorities are withholding the names of the three people killed pending notification of their families. The road was closed for about six hours after the collision.
Crossover collisions can result from a driver being impaired by drugs or alcohol. Investigators use blood-alcohol concentration tests and drug screenings to determine if a driver's abilities were affected enough to cause a lane departure. Evidence such as toxicology reports and vehicle data is secured early in the process to assist with the investigation.
When a crash turns fatal, the car's built-in recorder or "black box" becomes a critical piece of the puzzle. It captures exactly how fast the car was going and if the driver tried to brake, shedding light on the driver's actions leading up to the collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that alcohol-impaired driving is a leading factor in fatal collisions, accounting for about 32 percent of all traffic deaths nationwide.
Families of those killed in collisions often face financial and emotional difficulties during an investigation. Criminal charges address a driver's breach of law, while a civil inquiry focuses on the losses suffered by the survivors. Attorneys experienced in DUI cases can help secure evidence from the scene, such as tire marks and mechanical data, before it is lost or overwritten. This independent review helps ensure that victims' rights are represented while authorities finalize their official reports.
California wrongful death statute
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, certain surviving family members or the personal representative of a deceased person's estate may file a wrongful death claim. This statute allows for financial recovery when a death results from the wrongful act or negligence of another party, which can include incidents involving impaired driving. Eligible parties typically include a surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, or, if none exist, other individuals who would be entitled to the decedent's property by intestate succession.
Damages sought in a wrongful death claim in California can include compensation for financial support the deceased would have provided, loss of companionship, comfort, affection, and funeral and burial expenses.
California's pure comparative negligence system
California operates under a pure comparative negligence system. This legal framework permits a claimant to seek damages even if they are found to share some degree of fault for an incident. The amount of damages recoverable would be reduced proportionally to their assigned percentage of fault. In cases involving impaired driving, survivors may also pursue a survival action, which addresses the damages the deceased person suffered between the time of injury and death.
Statute of limitations for California claims
The statute of limitations for filing most wrongful death or personal injury lawsuits in California is generally two years from the date of the crash. Adhering to this deadline is important for those considering legal action. Legal professionals often emphasize the importance of securing evidence, such as toxicology reports and vehicle data, early in the process.