Shaver Lake, CA – On the evening of Thursday, September 10, 2026, a suspected DUI single-vehicle collision resulted in the death of a passenger and led to the arrest of the driver, according to ABC30.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place on Highway 168 at Littlefield Road, a mountainous stretch of highway winding through forested terrain in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Authorities said the driver lost control of the vehicle, which rolled down a hillside off the roadway. As a result of the crash, the passenger died. The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
The identities of both the driver and the passenger had not been released at the time of reporting. Anyone with information is urged to contact the California Highway Patrol. The investigation remains ongoing.
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.”
Fresno County DUI Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
California law prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and a driver who causes a fatal crash while impaired may be considered to have committed negligence per se, increasing his or her share of liability for the resulting death regardless of the outcome of any criminal proceedings.
Because the crash occurred on a mountainous roadway where a hillside rollover carries an elevated risk of severe injury, any evidence regarding the vehicle’s speed and the roadway’s condition at the time could be especially significant in establishing the full circumstances of the crash. The passenger’s family may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim, which can provide compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of consortium, and other damages related to the fatal accident.
Passenger Liability and Wrongful Death Claims
A driver’s liability coverage extends to those inside their vehicle as well as outside. In many cases, those passengers are someone who knows the driver personally. So, when a passenger is injured and their driver is found liable, they may feel reluctant to file a claim against the driver’s insurance.
In many cases, however, a wrongful death claim may be required for an insurer to offer a fair settlement. A personal injury attorney can facilitate this process and, as a neutral third party, help navigate any emotional complexities that may arise.
Fresno County Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, on Highway 168 at Littlefield Road, contact a California wrongful death lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
