A 61-year-old Redding woman faces serious charges after allegedly driving under the influence and crashing her vehicle into a local liquor store, injuring an innocent bystander in the process. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, June 17, highlights the devastating consequences that can result from impaired driving decisions.
Details of the Victor Avenue Crash
Redding Police Department officers responded to a vehicle-into-building collision in the 2500 block of Victor Avenue at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Upon arrival, investigators found that a car had crashed directly into a liquor store, causing structural damage to the building and injuring a person who was present at the scene at the time of impact.
The driver, a 61-year-old woman from Redding, was alone in the vehicle during the crash. Following their initial response and investigation at the scene, police officers conducted a thorough DUI investigation that led to the suspect’s arrest.
The crash occurred during typical afternoon business hours when the liquor store would have had customers and staff present. While the extent of the structural damage to the building has not been fully disclosed, the impact was sufficient to cause injury to at least one person inside the establishment at the time.
Emergency responders likely coordinated between treating the injured party and securing the crash scene, as vehicle-into-building accidents often present additional safety hazards, including potential structural instability and utility line damage.
Criminal Charges and Legal Consequences
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, causing injury, a serious felony charge in California. She was transported to and booked at the Shasta County Jail on the listed offense. This charge carries significantly more severe penalties than a standard DUI due to the injury sustained by the innocent bystander.
Under California Vehicle Code Section 23153, driving under the influence, causing injury to another person, can result in:
- Up to four years in state prison
- Fines ranging from $390 to $5,000
- License suspension for up to five years
- Mandatory DUI education programs
- Possible restitution to injured parties
Beyond the immediate criminal penalties, the suspect may face enhanced consequences if she has prior DUI convictions.
California’s progressive penalty structure means repeat offenders face increasingly severe punishments, including longer license suspensions, extended jail time, and mandatory installation of ignition interlock devices.
Additionally, a felony DUI conviction can have lasting impacts on employment opportunities, professional licensing, and housing applications, making the consequences of this incident potentially life-altering.
Understanding DUI with Injury Cases
When a DUI incident results in injury to another person, the legal stakes increase dramatically. Unlike standard DUI charges, which are typically misdemeanors for first-time offenders, DUI causing injury is classified as a “wobbler” offense in California, meaning prosecutors can choose to file it as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances.
Factors that influence charging decisions include:
- The severity of injuries sustained
- The driver’s blood alcohol content level
- Prior DUI convictions on record
- Whether the driver exhibited gross negligence
- The extent of property damage caused
In cases involving vehicle-into-building crashes like the Victor Avenue incident, prosecutors often view the circumstances as demonstrating particularly reckless behavior.
The fact that the driver lost control to such an extent that they left the roadway and struck a stationary structure can be used as evidence of gross negligence or extreme impairment.
This type of crash pattern frequently results in felony charges being filed, as it suggests the driver was severely impaired and posed a significant danger to public safety beyond typical DUI cases involving minor fender-benders or traffic stops.
Rights of Injured Parties in DUI Crashes
The innocent bystander injured in this Redding liquor store crash has important legal rights that extend beyond the criminal case against the alleged drunk driver. Victims of DUI crashes in California can pursue civil compensation for:
Medical Expenses and Treatment Costs
All reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to the crash-caused injuries, including emergency room visits, diagnostic testing, surgical procedures, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment needs.
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
Compensation for wages lost due to injury-related absences from work and potential future earning capacity if the injuries result in long-term disability or impairment.
Pain and Suffering Damages
Non-economic damages for the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life resulting from the crash and subsequent injuries.
Property Damage Recovery
Reimbursement for any personal property damaged or destroyed in the incident, including personal items that may have been in the liquor store at the time of impact.
California law also provides additional protections for DUI crash victims through insurance requirements and victim compensation programs. Injured parties may be entitled to coverage under uninsured/underinsured motorist policies if the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance coverage.
Additionally, the California Victim Compensation Board may assist with medical expenses and other costs for victims of violent crimes, which can include DUI crashes. These multiple avenues of recovery help ensure that innocent victims don’t bear the financial burden of someone else’s decision to drive impaired.
Establishing Liability in DUI Crash Cases
California follows a fault-based system for motor vehicle accidents, meaning the at-fault driver is responsible for damages caused. Due to the criminal nature of impaired driving, establishing liability in DUI cases is often straightforward.
However, successful civil claims require thorough documentation and evidence gathering, including:
- Police reports and criminal case records
- Medical records documenting all injuries
- Witness statements from the scene
- Expert accident reconstruction analysis
- Security camera footage, if available
- Documentation of all financial losses
In DUI crash cases, the criminal conviction can serve as robust evidence in civil proceedings, as it establishes that the defendant violated traffic laws while impaired.
However, civil cases don’t always require waiting for a criminal conviction to proceed, and the burden of proof differs between criminal and civil courts.
While criminal cases require evidence “beyond a reasonable doubt,” civil cases only need a “preponderance of the evidence” standard, meaning it’s more likely than not that the defendant was negligent.
This lower burden of proof often makes establishing liability in civil court easier, even in cases where criminal charges might be reduced or dismissed through plea negotiations.
Vehicle-into-building crashes like the Redding incident often provide robust evidence of liability due to the physical nature of the crash scene.
Skid marks, impact patterns, and structural damage can help accident reconstruction experts determine the vehicle’s speed and trajectory.
At the same time, surveillance cameras from nearby businesses may capture the moments leading up to the crash. The fact that the driver left the roadway entirely and struck a stationary building typically demonstrates an apparent loss of vehicle control consistent with impaired driving, making these cases among the most straightforward to prove in establishing fault and negligence.
Prevention and Community Safety
This incident serves as another sobering reminder of the dangers posed by impaired drivers on our roads. The decision to drive under the influence doesn’t just risk the driver’s safety – it puts every community member at risk, including pedestrians, other motorists, and people in businesses along busy streets.
Community members who witness suspected impaired driving are encouraged to report it to local law enforcement immediately. Early intervention can prevent tragic accidents and save lives.
Local businesses and establishments that serve alcohol also play a crucial role in preventing DUI incidents through responsible service practices.
California’s dram shop laws hold establishments liable for over-serving visibly intoxicated patrons who then cause accidents, creating a legal incentive for bars, restaurants, and liquor stores to monitor customer consumption and refuse service when appropriate.
Additionally, ride-sharing services, designated driver programs, and public transportation options provide alternatives that can help community members make safer choices when they’ve been drinking, reducing the likelihood of impaired driving incidents that endanger innocent people like the victim in this Redding crash.
Importance of Immediate Legal Representation
Both the criminal defendant and the injured victim in this case would benefit from prompt legal representation. An experienced DUI defense attorney can help the accused driver navigate the complex criminal proceedings and work to minimize potential penalties.
A personal injury attorney can protect the injured party’s rights and help secure maximum compensation for their losses. The civil case timeline operates independently of criminal proceedings, and victims shouldn’t wait for the conclusion of criminal charges before consulting with an attorney about their rights to compensation.
Time is particularly critical in DUI crash cases due to California’s statute of limitations, which generally allows only two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Additionally, crucial evidence can be lost or degraded over time, including surveillance footage that may be automatically deleted, witness memories that fade, and physical evidence from the crash scene that gets cleared away.
Insurance companies also begin their investigations immediately after accidents, and having legal representation ensures that victims’ interests are protected from the outset rather than trying to catch up later when key evidence may no longer be available.
Calculating Settlement Values in DUI Injury Cases
Determining appropriate compensation in DUI crash cases requires careful evaluation of multiple factors, and catastrophic injury settlement calculators can provide valuable initial guidance for both victims and their attorneys.
These specialized tools help estimate potential settlement values by analyzing key variables such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering multipliers, and long-term care needs.
While no calculator can replace the expertise of an experienced personal injury attorney, these tools help victims understand the potential scope of their claims and ensure that all categories of damages are considered.
In DUI crash cases specifically, settlement calculators often account for the aggravated nature of impaired driving incidents, which can result in higher pain and suffering awards due to the defendant’s reckless conduct.
However, each case is unique, and factors like the severity of injuries, the victim’s age and occupation, and the defendant’s insurance coverage limits all play crucial roles in determining final settlement amounts. Call us now at +1 415-986-4777 to talk to the experts.
Moving Forward After a DUI Crash
“When someone makes the reckless decision to drive under the influence and injures innocent people, it’s a violation that goes beyond traffic laws – it’s a betrayal of the trust we all place in each other to drive safely. If a drunk driver has hurt you, you shouldn’t have to face the financial burden of someone else’s poor choices. These cases are about more than just compensation; they’re about holding dangerous drivers accountable and ensuring you have the resources to heal completely. Don’t let insurance companies minimize your suffering or rush you into a quick settlement. You deserve justice, and you deserve an attorney who will fight tirelessly to get it for you.” – Andy Gillin, Founding Partner, GJEL Accident Attorneys
For those affected by impaired driving accidents, the path forward involves both holding negligent drivers accountable and securing the resources needed for recovery.
While criminal charges address the public safety aspect of DUI offenses, civil litigation ensures that victims receive fair compensation for their losses and that dangerous drivers face the full financial consequences of their actions.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving an impaired driver, understanding your legal rights is crucial. The experienced personal injury attorneys at GJEL Accident Attorneys have successfully represented countless victims of drunk driving accidents throughout California, helping them secure the compensation they deserve. At the same time, they focus on healing and recovery.
At GJEL, we ensure all evidence is properly preserved and all potential sources of compensation are thoroughly investigated while families focus on healing. GJEL offers free consultations and charges no fees unless we win your case. Talk to an experienced GJEL accident attorney for a free legal consultation. Call us at +1 415-986-4777 or visit our Sacramento office.
Additional Resources and Information
Redding Police Department
If you witnessed this incident or have information related to the Victor Avenue crash, you can contact the Redding Police Department:
Redding Police Department
- Address: 1313 California Street, Redding, CA 96001
- Non-Emergency Phone: (530) 225-4200
- Emergency: 911
- Traffic Division: (530) 225-4033
- Website: City of Redding Police Department
- Online Reporting: Available for non-emergency incidents through the city website
- Records Request: Police reports can be requested through the Records Division at (530) 225-4033
California Highway Patrol – Redding Area Office
For traffic safety information and DUI prevention resources:
CHP Redding Area Office
- Address: 540 Riverside Drive, Redding, CA 96001
- Phone: (530) 225-2800
- 24-Hour Dispatch: (530) 225-2800
- Website: California Highway Patrol
Shasta County Superior Court
For information about criminal proceedings related to this case:
Shasta County Superior Court
- Address: 1500 Court Street, Redding, CA 96001
- Phone: (530) 225-5464
- Website: Shasta County Courts
Traffic Safety and DUI Prevention Resources
- California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): Information about license suspensions and DUI consequences
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD): Victim support and advocacy resources
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Traffic safety statistics and prevention programs
Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Since 1972 he has been helping seriously injured victims throughout northern California fight & win their personal injury cases. Andy is one of the top awarded & recognized wrongful death lawyers in northern California.