Personal Injury Law

Victim's Family Seeks to Educate About San Diego DUI Car Accidents

By Ross Jurewitz

In January of 2006, Derek Ritter was only 48 years old when he was hit by a San Diego car driver high on methamphetamines, killing Ritter and leaving behind a fatherless family. Now, his surviving children are determined to publicize the tragedy, and bring light to the consequences of driving while under influences.

Ritter's children, son Kevin and daughter Kara, are fighting to keep influenced drivers off the road, and to let those who hand them the keys and allow them to drive be held responsible as well. Kara Ritter has a strong viewpoint on this matter. "Everybody in society has a role to be responsible, and if you make an irresponsible decision you need to be held accountable," she says.

Dean Osuna was the man driving on meth down Highway 78 when he crossed the median and killed Ritter. Though he spent time in jail, a jury now says that Osuna and his girlfriend, who had given him the keys to drive, owe Ritter's family $1.8 million. The Ritters' attorney is very adament and pleased with this scenario, as he sees it as a precedent-setting decision to hold the driver and his enabler accountable, and will affect future generations who may make similar poor decisions when hitting the road. If you would like to read more about this San Diego auto accident, read this 10news.com story.

Full post as published by San Diego Injury Lawyer Blog on June 01, 2009 (boomark / email).