Blog Post

DUI Driver Charged in Fatal Accident


January 08, 2008
Topic: Drunk Driving Accidents

As the first member of her family to attend college, 19-year-old Sylvia Nunez had a bright future that belied her humble beginnings. An assistant manager at a Burger King, Sylvia had saved her earnings to pay for college, and was due to transfer to a university this year.

All those plans came to an end on New Year's Eve in Elk Grove, California, when a drunken driver in a Toyota pickup broadsided her family's sports utility vehicle. Sylvia, a rear-seat passenger, was ejected from her seat and suffered fatal injures. Her younger siblings aged, 17, 15 and 5 are still hospitalized.

The driver of the pick up, 22-year-old Ryan Williamson, fled from the scene, and was later picked up by police and arrested on charges of suspected homicide, hit and run, and driving under the influence. He was also charged with driving without a license after a previous DUI offense, and failing to stop at a stop sign.

Williamson's neighbors say they have long been aware of his fondness for speeding on neighborhood streets.

The state of California recently enforced a new law that requires persons applying for a driver's license to sign a declaration saying they are aware they could have murder charges brought against them if they cause fatalities while driving in an intoxicated state.

Unfortunately, the law comes too late for people like Sylvia Nunez.

If you or a family member has been injured or killed in a drunk driver related car crash, contact a California personal injury lawyer at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.


The California personal injury attorneys at The Reeves Law Group represent victims of accidents, injuries and wrongful death throughout California from our offices in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, Fresno County, Kern County, Sacramento County, San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, Antelope Valley, Torrance, Glendale, Bakersfield, Santa Ana, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Ontario, and Victorville.