2018 Drunk Driving Accident Involving Lancaster Teacher Underscores Difference Between Criminal and Civil Fatal Drunk Driving Cases Under California Laws

On the evening of November 15, 2018, Lancaster, California teacher Mary Kruppe got behind the wheel of her Jeep Wrangler and barreled onto the streets. According to local news reports, it may have been like any other fall evening, except for the fact that Kruppe was intoxicated when she decided to drive down Lancaster’s roads, and that decision led to a tragic and fatal car accident that claimed the life of a young California woman. According to ABC7 News, Kruppe veered her Jeep into oncoming traffic on Lancaster’s 50th Street East, North of Avenue P. Jessica, and collided head-on with a Mazda3. The driver of the Mazda was 29-year-old Jessica Ordaz, who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Kruppe, a 37-year-old teacher at the time of her criminal trial, was ultimately convicted of DUI murder in 2020 under California’s criminal laws. She received a sentence of 15 years to life for the horrific drunk driving accident that led to Jessica Ordaz’s untimely death. Ordaz’s mother stated in regards to Kruppe’s drunk driving criminal conviction, “This lady is responsible, already older knowing she could kill someone drinking and driving. That’s what she did, leaving my family broken and extremely sad for the rest of our lives.”

Justice for the Families of Fatal Drunk Driving Accident Victims Under California Civil Laws

Although Kruppe received a criminal conviction and jail time for her involvement in Jessica Ordaz’s death, her state prison sentence is only one piece of the justice puzzle. Under California wrongful death laws, certain close family members may be entitled to compensation for the loss of their loved one in the case that their loved one’s life was taken as a result of a drunk driver accident. Compensation under California wrongful death laws may include lost wages, medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, compensation for pain and suffering, and other important compensation. In order to determine whether you may have a case under California wrongful death laws in Palmdale or Lancaster California, it is best to speak with an experienced Palmdale drunk driver accident lawyer as soon as possible about your rights and options.

Legal Help for the Families of Drunk Driver Accident Victims

If your loved one was killed in a drunk driving accident in Palmdale or Lancaster and you want to know about your rights and options under California wrongful death laws, the experienced Palmdale drunk driver accident lawyers at the Trevino Law Firm are here to help you. The experienced Palmdale drunk driver accident lawyers at the Trevino law firm offer a confidential consultation to learn about your unique case to see if they can help fight to get you justice due under California wrongful death laws. Contact the experienced Palmdale drunk driver accident lawyers at the Trevino Law Firm today and speak to a lawyer about your rights and options for free.

Serving injury victims throughout the Antelope Valley, including Lancaster as well as smaller communities like Littlerock and Lake Los Angeles.

Source:

abc7.com/dui-suspect-palmdale-lancaster-antelope-vally/4727423/