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[Bakersfield, CA] – Arnulfo Chavez and Christopher Raoul Dismus Killed in Crash on Highway 58
2 Men Lost Their Lives in Bakersfield Car Accident on Highway 58
November 4, 2020 – Arnulfo Chavez, age 32, and Christopher Raoul Dismus, age 34, died on Monday night. Moreover, they died in a head-on crash on Highway 58.
First, an Acura was traveling east on Highway 58 at around 9:56 P.M. just east of Edison Highway. However, there was also a Ford who was speeding down the wrong way of the Highway.
As a result of the impact, both vehicles collided and landed blocking the No. 1 lane of westbound Highway 58.
When the California Highway Patrol showed up at the scene, and they found the two men who both had fatal injuries. Sadly, the 2 men were declared dead on arrival.
Later, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office was able to identify the 2 dead men as 32-year-old Bakersfield resident Arnulfo Chavez as well as 34-year-old Lemoore resident Christopher Raoul Dismus.
Moreover, emergency responders shut down westbound 58. They closed it from Comanche Drive to Edison Highway. The roads stayed closed for about 3 hours for the investigation.
Also, authorities have not mentioned whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident.
Wrong Way Accidents: Why Do They Happen?
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), wrong-way accidents make up between 300-400 roadway fatalities every year.
Also, wrong way driving has been defined as “a driver who runs their vehicle in the opposite direction of travel on a highway or freeway, then collides with a vehicle traveling in the correct direction.”
Mostly, wrong-way accidents are uncommon. Moreover, they only make up about 3% of all motor vehicle accidents.
In addition, they are the leading type of motor vehicle crash to result in a fatality.
On average, about 360 deaths in the U.S. each year are caused by wrong way driving accidents.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), reports that the wrong way collision death rate is projected to fall between 12 and 27% higher than all other types of collisions.
Moreover, that is why they have been proven to be among the most dangerous types of accidents.
Wrong way driving collisions will most often end up in head-on collisions. Grievously, they do not tend to leave motorists and passengers unscathed.
Instead, if the accident does not lead to death, the injuries drivers sustain are often extremely severe.
In addition, they usually entail long-term residual effects that require surgery and rehabilitation.
Common injuries from wrong way driving collisions include:
- broken bones
- extremity injuries
- whiplash
- head injuries
- spinal cord injuries
- chest, abdomen, and rib injuries
- brain injuries
- as well as paralysis
WHAT CAN CAUSE A WRONG WAY ACCIDENT?
Driver error is the most common cause of accidents.
Moreover, most of these incidents are due to drivers entering a highway exit ramp, rather than entrance ramps.
The most common causes of wrong-way accidents are:
- Drivers under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medications
- Distracted driving
- Drivers unfamiliar with the roadways in that area
- Poorly marked ramps
- Poorly placed signs
- Poor ramp design
- Lack of signs
- Lack of visibility
- Drowsy or tired drivers
- Drivers suffering from mental health problems
Notably, out of these listed reasons for drivers’ error, the #1 cause is intoxication from drugs or alcohol.
Additionally, 50-75% of all wrong way driving incidents involve an intoxicated driver.
Not surprisingly, most of these accidents tend to occur on weekends and in the late hours of the night between midnight and 3 A.M.
To the family and friends of Arnulfo Chavez and Christopher Raoul Dismus, we cannot begin to imagine what you are going through, and our sincerest condolences go out to you.
Salkow Law are true advocates that will work with you directly to achieve justice. Insurance companies want to pay as little compensation as they can. They will even try to make your case go away completely. We will fight for you so that does not happen.
Unlike, the law firms you see plastered on billboards and buses, at Salkow Law you will receive a level of personal service long forgotten at the ‘big’ firms. With us you will not be a faceless, nameless case file. We’ll answer any questions you have and make sure you have a full understanding of how the process works.
This is especially true for families that have lost a loved one in an accident. We won’t stop until we’ve gotten you fair compensation to alleviate the financial toll that unexpected devastation brings.
Call us for a free consultation at (310) 914 – 8484
