NEWPORT COAST - A 41-year-old cyclist was tragically struck and killed by a car driven by a 22-year-old Newport Beach woman Monday night on San Joaquin Hills Road, the Orange County Register and Daily Pilot reported. The victim, identified by the Orange County Coroner's Office as Armine Britel, 41, was riding his bicycle eastbound on San Joquin Hills Road, west of Newport Ridge Drive when he was struck by a white Volkswagen Jetta that was also travelling eastbound. Britel died at the scene of the crash, which occurred around 6 p.m. near Spy Glass Hill Road.
Following standard procedure in any fatal accident, Newport Beach Police gave the driver of the Jetta, Danae Marie Miller, 22, a sobriety test. Miller, who lives in Newport Coast, failed her sobriety test and was arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter under the influence and was booked on $100,000 bail.
The Daily Pilot reported that court records indicate that Miller has received 16 traffic citations since 1005, including six tickets for speeding or driving two fast for conditions, a ticket for driving the wrong way, a ticket for failing to stop at a stop sign, and citations for talking on a cell phone while driving.
Cause of the February 21st Car vs. Bicycle Accident
The investigation into the cause of the fatal Newport Coast crash is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to call investigator Todd Bush at (949) 644-3746. However, if news reports are accurate, the driver of the Jetta is likely responsible for causing this fatal car vs. bicycle accident.
DUI Accident Wrongful Death Liability
Drinking and driving is a conscious choice and accidents caused by drunk drivers are 100% avoidable and preventable. In addition to criminal charges for vehicular manslaughter, drunk drivers may also be financially liable for their actions in a civil claim for DUI accident wrongful death. Along with the heartbreak, anguish and grief that accompany a sudden and unexpected loss, families are affected financially from funeral and burial expenses, and loss of financial support provided by the decedent's earnings and benefits. Following a suspected drunk driving crash such as this accident in Newport Beach, the family members of the victim may benefit from speaking with an experienced and knowledgeable car vs. bicycle DUI accident victim attorney about the accident and their legal rights to hold the driver accountable for their loss in a wrongful death claim.
