Wrongful Death Claim Filed After Fatal Newport Beach DUI Crash
A wrongful death claim has been brought on behalf of three young girls who were orphaned by a drunk driving car accident in Newport Beach. The civil lawsuit was filed in Orange County Superior Court last month and names as the defendants Grace Elizabeth Coleman and her parents, James and Kelli Coleman – all residents of Newport Beach. The fatal crash took place on December 8th, near South Pelican Hill Road and Newport Coast Drive.
DUI crash kills parents, leaves 3 orphaned girls
Grace Elizabeth Coleman, aged 22, was arrested as the DUI driver in the accident. According to police reports, the crash involved Coleman’s Range Rover and the victims’ Nissan Versa. The victims – both of Santa Ana – were identified as Gabriela Andrade and her husband Henry Saldana-Mejia. Their young children are 1, 4, and 5 years old.
Coleman is accused of driving while intoxicated, blowing through a red light, and slamming into the Nissan Versa, killing both parents. The young girls suffered injuries, including broken bones, but escaped mortal harm thanks to seat belts. The defendant’s blood alcohol concentration at the time of the accident was nearly three times the legal limit, said prosecutors.
According to the D.A. office, Coleman has been charged with one felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, two felony counts of murder, and one felony count of driving with a BAC of 0.08% or more causing bodily injury. The 22-year old could face more than 34 years in prison if convicted.
The wrongful death lawsuit is seeking monetary reparations for the economic and emotional damages resulting from the senseless crash.
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