North Highlands, CA – On Sunday, May 4, 2025, 30-year-old Volodymyr Molchanovych was killed when the BMW he was a passenger in collided with a Nissan on North Haven Drive and Watt Avenue, according to ABC10 with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the incident occurred around 10:00 PM when a BMW, driven by 28-year-old Yurii Shylovets, was traveling southbound on Watt Avenue.
As Shylovets attempted to navigate the road, his BMW T-boned a Nissan Altima, driven by 31-year-old Alvaro Arrendondo Navarro, who was turning left from a business driveway. The force of the impact sent the BMW off the road, where it overturned and collided with two large trees in the median.
Molchanovych, a passenger in the BMW, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders from the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.
Shylovets, who was unconscious following the crash, was transported to the hospital, where CHP officials determined he was under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Arrendondo Navarro was also found to be under the influence and was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
The roadway was temporarily closed for investigation and cleanup, with crews addressing the damage caused by the crash, including fallen trees and a damaged center divide. The CHP is continuing its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
California DUI Law
Section 23153(a) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) states that it is illegal for any driver to “Operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, as a result, cause bodily injury to someone else.”
Passenger Liability
Driver liability insurance covers both those outside the vehicle and passengers inside. While it can be emotionally difficult to file a Personal Injury claim against someone close to the victim, the financial challenges after an accident can be overwhelming.
A skilled personal injury attorney can help families pursue proper compensation for their loss by handling these legal complexities and negotiating with insurance companies, who always try to reduce payouts on claims they cannot deny.
Wrongful Death Claims & Comparative Negligence
Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and under California’s Comparative Negligence rule, several parties can share partial responsibility. Should someone else be found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to support the family of the deceased.
