Freeway Hit-and-Run Suspect Was Driving Drunk

Mar 10,2017

An Indio man was arrested for a freeway hit-and-run on I-10 last June after hitting a Caltrans pickup truck. Caltrans was performing maintenance on I-10 east of Jefferson Street, and a CHP officer briefly held up eastbound traffic in the afternoon to allow one of their vehicles to turn around on the freeway. Authorities say 29-year-old Nicholas Latino then attempted to pass traffic by driving his Jeep onto the right shoulder. The Jeep struck the Caltrans vehicle, and Latino fled the scene.

Freeway Hit-and-Run Driver was Under the Influence

Latino exited I-10 at Monroe Street, but CHP officials caught up with him a short time later and arrested him for the freeway hit-and-run. He faces misdemeanor hit and run, driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license.

There are times when it is appropriate and safe to pass slower-moving traffic. A situation where a police officer has stopped traffic is not one of them. Some other instances in which you should NOT try to pass traffic include:

When your view is blocked by a hill or curve
If passing would require going over a solid yellow line
When construction work is happening
In inclement weather
When you’re at an intersection, tunnel or bridge
When you can’t see around the vehicle in front of you
If oncoming traffic is in the other lane

“We all have places to be, but that doesn’t justify endangering others by trying to circumvent stopped traffic,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.