Two people were injured following a hit-and-run collision in Twentynine Palms on Saturday evening, August 3, 2024.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the incident happened just before 7:30 p.m. along Twentynine Palms Highway near Ocotillo Avenue.
Deputies said that a white Buick was traveling eastbound along the highway at speeds that reportedly reached 100 mph before colliding with a black truck. Witnesses then told the authorities that the Buick driver, later identified as Deborah J., appeared to have been intoxicated.
She allegedly got into the passenger seat of her own car and pounded on the windows of the truck she hit, asking to be let in. When the occupants of the black truck did not oblige, she returned to the driver’s seat and fled the scene.
A witness reported that they managed to follow the hit-and-run driver and promptly provided her location to dispatch. Deborah J. was then contacted by the deputies, who took her to Hi-Desert Medical for treatment after she sustained unspecified injuries as a result of the accident. After that, she was put into questioning, where she confessed her fault.
The driver of the black truck also suffered injuries and received on-scene medical treatment. The passenger, meanwhile, was said to be uninjured.
Meanwhile, Deborah J. was arrested on suspicion of injury hit-and-run. Authorities have yet to confirm whether she was indeed intoxicated at the time of the crash.
Investigations are underway.
Don’t Know What To Do After An Accident?
Your safety and rights depend on what you do next after an accident. Remember the following steps if you find yourself in one:
- Check yourself for any injuries.
- Stay on the scene, call 9-1-1, and wait for emergency responders.
- Move your vehicle to the road shoulder if safe; turn on hazard lights.
- Fully cooperate with law enforcement and stay until cleared to leave.
- Document the scene and injuries with photos and videos.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Contact your insurance company and find a personal injury lawyer for legal advice.
What A Lawyer Can Do For You
Many victims put off calling a lawyer even if they sustain injuries after an accident. However, lawyers can help you in many ways. They can provide you with police reports, CCTV footage, and witness statements to strengthen your case. Your attorney will also negotiate with insurance companies to get you fair compensation. The best part is that they will do all of these things for you at no upfront cost. So if you’re injured in an accident, hire a personal injury attorney to recover medical bills, car repair costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.