A wrongful death lawsuit in Albuquerque was recently filed in connection with the December 30, 2011 death of a four-year-old girl in Santa Fe. At the time of the accident, a minivan carrying Yuliana Aremi Reyes Vasquez, her sister, and her mother was struck as it made a left turn from Siringo Road onto St. Francis Drive. The sport utility vehicle that collided with the minivan was driven by 56-year-old Deborah Aaron, a Santa Fe surgeon who was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the accident.
According to Santa Fe police, the girl’s mother, Karla Aremi Vasquez Rivera, was initially unsure whether she had a green light at the time of the crash. Her lawsuit, however, maintains that Vasquez Rivera proceeded into the intersection on a green arrow. The lawsuit also alleges Aaron ran a red light before colliding with the minivan. Although her mother and sister were also injured, Yuliana died as a result of the injuries she sustained in the accident.
A police officer’s report stated Aaron had bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol following the accident. She also reportedly failed a field sobriety examination administered by local police. Following the crash, Aaron was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide. Her blood alcohol content measured .08 percent, the level at which drivers are presumed to be intoxicated in the State of New Mexico.
At least one car accident witness told law enforcement officials that Aaron had the right of way and did not run a red light. According to the witness, Reyes Vasquez entered the intersection improperly and caused the collision. Due to conflicting witness accounts, an indictment against the surgeon has not yet been filed by prosecutors. Police investigators are currently attempting to ascertain which driver in fact had a green light. Aaron is currently free on a $100,000 bond and awaiting a court ruling regarding whether her driver’s license will be revoked.
In her lawsuit, Vasquez Rivera is seeking monetary and compensatory damages for wrongful death from both Aaron and her insurance company. If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in a tragic accident caused by an intoxicated driver, contact an experienced Albuquerque drunk driving attorney to discuss your options.
At the Fine Law Firm, our knowledgeable Santa Fe car accident lawyers are available to assist clients who were hurt by drunk or impaired drivers. Our attorneys help individuals who were injured in a motor vehicle collision achieve fair compensation for their injuries. At the Fine Law Firm, our hardworking and diligent lawyers have more than 100 years of combined experience assisting people who were hurt in an unexpected traffic accident throughout the State of New Mexico. To discuss your case with a capable car accident attorney today, call the Fine Law Firm at (505) 889-3463 or contact our skilled lawyers through our website.
More Blog Posts:
Teen Suspected of DWI Causes Crash in Downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, April 20, 2012
Charges Filed Against Driver Who Killed Albuquerque Bicyclist, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, April 12, 2012
Additional Resources:
Family of New Mexico Girl Killed in Crash with Santa Fe Doctor Sues, by The Associated Press, Insurance Journal