Santa Barbara, CA – Amtrak Driver Laura Mae Gish Causes DUI Accident on Highway 101
Santa Barbara, CA (January 18, 2019) On the morning of January 18th, a commercial accident happened on Highway 101 near Los Alamos at around 5:45 a.m. According to the reports, a 50-year-old woman named Laura Mae Gish was operating an Amtrak bus while under the influence. While on the highway, the bus drifted off the road and down an embankment where it crashed into a tree and landed on its side.
When the paramedics arrived, they found Gish along with six out of twenty-four passengers suffering from minor injuries. They were all transported to two hospitals for further evaluation and treatment. The police arrested Gish and took her to Santa Barbara County Jail.
We are sorry to know that seven people were injured in this accident and we hope they all fully recover without any complications.
Commercial Vehicle Accidents in California
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration revealed that in 2015, over 400,000 accidents involved commercial vehicles. One of the leading causes of these types of accidents is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol even though the common carrier law forbids commercial drivers from partaking in such behavior.
Because commercial drivers are responsible for so many lives during their shift, they owe a duty to the public to drive safely and responsibly at all times. When they choose to drive under the influence, they’re putting themselves, their passengers, and surrounding drivers at risk of being seriously injured or killed.
Because this accident was a result of negligent driving, each injured victim could file a personal injury lawsuit with the help of a California personal injury attorney.
At Brady Law Group, we have 24 years of experience in California bus litigation, which is why we specialize in representing those injured in bus accidents. We help our clients pursue all potentially liable parties including the bus driver, the bus company, and more. If you or someone you know was injured in a bus accident, call 866-478-6483 for a free consultation today.
Note:Â Outside sources were used in the creation of this post including news bulletins and first-hand accounts of the accident and injuries involved. As a result, the details of the accident presented have not been independently verified by our own writing staff. If you have identified any false information in the story, please inform us immediately, and we will adjust the posting to reflect the most accurate content available.
Disclaimer: As a member of the local community, we at Brady Law Group strive to improve the overall safety and quality of life for everyone who lives in our beloved state. We are extremely saddened by these accidents but hope that, through an awareness of these dangers, those in our community will take precautions to avoid these accidents. This is not a solicitation for business, and this information should not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. We wish only the best and quickest recovery to all those involved in the accident.
