Suspected DUI Driver Suffers from Major Injuries after Causing Pileup

Multi-vehicle accidents or pileups often result in more injuries, considering that many people are often involved in similar accidents.

In fact, a recent multi-vehicle accident has injured three people and also closed at least four lanes along the southbound 57, south of Lincoln Avenue in Anaheim.

According to reports, the accident was triggered by a black vehicle that overturned and struck a guardrail along the right shoulder at around 11:53 p.m.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers stated that at least three to five vehicles were involved in the accident.

A 2003 Ford driver who was identified as Candice Brannigan, 27, from Riverside, was moving in the No.1 lane when she struck the concrete center divider after swerving to the left. Reports said she then swerved back to the right, causing her vehicle to hit a 2001 Chevrolet that was moving in the No.2 lane.

According to authorities, a Chevy passenger Jesus Rodriguez, 29, from La Puente, was rushed to Kaiser in Anaheim with minor injuries.

Meanwhile, Brannigan sustained major injuries in the accident. She was brought to UCI Medical Center in Orange and was then arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Her passenger Malachi Banales, 33, from Ontario, also suffered from major injuries and was brought to the same hospital.

Reports said lanes 1, 2, and 3 as well as the car-lanes were closed after the accident. The lanes were reopened after more than an hour.

Brannigan should have refrained from driving the vehicle as she knew herself that she was drunk. By insisting on driving despite being drunk, she only endangered not only the lives of other people, but also herself. If found guilty of DUI, she may now be required to compensate everyone who suffered from injuries or property damages as a result of her negligence.

Father Accidentally Runs Over, Kills Toddler

Motorists should be careful in maneuvering the vehicle even in their own driveway especially when children are around. They should always check the rear-view and side mirrors to see if anyone is obstructing the path.

A 32-year-old father should have been more cautious as it could have prevented the recent death of his 23-month-old son.

Reports show that Armando Medina was driving a vehicle in front of his residence with his 4-year-old son shortly before noon to accommodate another vehicle that was pulling out of his driveway. He then reportedly thought he hit a speed bump but continued going until he heard his neighbors screaming.

It is very likely that Medina didn’t notice that his youngest son, Alexis, was standing in front of the vehicle before he drove off. Alexis was rushed to a local hospital. Unfortunately, he was declared dead after sustaining severe head injuries.

Sadly, this tragic accident proves that no child is safe when left unsupervised. A lot of accidents similar to this have happened before and will continue taking young lives unless parents will be more careful at keeping their children in sight.

Everyone is a victim in this tragedy. Mr. Medina may blame himself for it but these accidents really do happen. The least he could do now is to be more careful so that his other children will be safer.

Aside from car accidents, children are also likely to be involved in fall accidents, drowning, and electrocution. Keep them safe by keeping them supervised at all times.

EEOC Files Disability Discrimination Case against Mental Health Center

Disabled people have the right to work and earn money, just like normal people. They should be provided with equal employment opportunities if their condition does not prohibit them from doing their job duties.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, covered employers, local and state governments, labor unions, and employment agencies cannot discriminate against qualified disabled applicants or employees. This means employers cannot make employment decisions which are based on a person’s medical condition.

ADA also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to a disabled employee, as long as it will not create undue hardships on the company.

A mental health center is in a middle of controversy after it allegedly failed to provide reasonable accommodation to a worker who is asking to take a leave of absence in order to acquire medical treatment for breast cancer.

According to reports, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently filed a disability discrimination case against Northern Indiana-based Tri-City Comprehensive Community Mental Health Center in the US District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division.

The lawsuit claimed that Felicia Nichols, a former employee at a Tri-City facility in Hammond, asked if she could take a leave of absence because she needed to acquire breast cancer treatment.

However, the company fired her after she failed to go to work.

The agency further alleged that the intentional actions of Tri-City violated the woman’s “protected rights.” It is now seeking both punitive and compensatory damages as well as back pay from Tri-City. In addition, it is also seeking other relief like permanent injunction so that the company will not be able to discriminate against qualified disabled individuals in the future.

Fresno Police Officer Hospitalized after Crashing into Tree

Part of police officers’ duty is to respond to emergency calls. When they received reports about a car accident or any unlawful incident, they are supposed to go to the scene as soon as possible in order to help injured individuals or assist other police officers who were trying to detain a suspect.

When responding to calls, many police officers tend to speed up while on the roads in order to provide immediate assistance to those who need it and sometimes ended up getting involved in accidents themselves.

This may be the reason why a female Fresno police officer lost control of her vehicle and crashed into a tree along Peach Avenue, near Fresno Yosemite International Airport and McKinley Avenue.

The woman was on her way to help another officer, who was reportedly fighting with a suspect. However, instead of rendering help, she was the one who was placed in a dangerous situation because of the accident.

According to reports, the woman was rushed to Community Regional Medical Center. She was not seriously injured in the accident and is now in a good condition.

Authorities face many dangers just to serve the people. In order to avoid being involved in an accident while they are responding to an emergency call, it is advisable that they follow these tips:

• Use your sirens. This device will enable you to make your presence felt while on the roads. In addition, drivers who see approaching patrol cars will allot space for them. Under the law, you are required to use this device when there is an emergency situation.
• Do not move at a speed which can make you lose control of the vehicle. Although you need to provide immediate assistance to other people, you should also think about your own safety.
• Avoid passing along crowded areas in order to reduce your chances of colliding with another vehicle or hitting a pedestrian.