Palm Desert Law Blog of Dale S. Gribow

Woman pleads not guilty to DUI charges

Author — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:25:01 +0000

A 31-year old woman, while driving on a road in Corona crossed over the center line and crashed head-on into 19-year old woman in 2008. The 31-year old woman is a former ambulance driver and emergency medical technician. The 19-year old woman died a few hours later at a nearby hospital. The woman was arrested and released on $75,000 bail. About a year later she fled to Mexico but was found by Mexican authorities and returned to the United States.

Recently she pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while DUI and driving on a suspended license. Today she is in a Riverside County jail with bail set at $5 million. Reports indicate that the woman had been drinking at a bar prior to the accident.

Riverside accident injures 11-year old

Author — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:56:50 +0000

An 11-year old boy was riding his bicycle one morning in Hemet when he was hit by a passing vehicle, thrown on the car’s hood and then dragged for about 25 feet. Witnesses and a nearby work crew removed the boy from under the car. He sustained burns and cuts.

Officials are investigating to determine what happened – Was the driver speeding or under the influence or just plain negligent? California Highway Patrol reports that records from 2008 indicate there were close to 400 people injured in a bicycle accident in Riverside County.

According to California Vehicle Code Section 21800(a) drivers of automobiles and required to yield to pedestrians and bicyclists who have entered an intersection of crosswalk. If the driver is found to be at fault, he or she may be held liable for medical expenses and any other expenses involved. I would advise the family of this little boy to seek the expertise of a Personal Injury attorney to investigate for them. I hope the little boy has a speedy recovery.

How can a QTIP Trust benefit your children?

Author — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:06:44 +0000

A QTIP Trust makes the surviving spouse the sole beneficiary of the income in it every year. However, what happens if you have been married previously and have children from that marriage? How can this type of trust benefit your children? How can you make sure your home will go to your children once your present spouse dies? This is known as the Qualified Terminal Interest Property Trust or QTIP. This trust makes your children the ultimate beneficiaries of your home, allowing your present spouse to live in it until his or her death.

Because the QTIP is a trust, it will not have to go through probate at the surviving spouse’s death. Now is the time to take control of your future and the future of your children. Take the time to sit down with an experienced Estate Planning attorney and see what is right for you and your family.

Fatal motorcycle accident in Banning

Author — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:42:42 +0000

On the night of July 11, 49-year old man was riding his motorcycle on Interstate 10 near Highland Springs Avenue when traffic came to an abrupt stop. The man’s motorcycle skidded and swerved as he tried to stop, but he lost control and crashed – throwing him onto the pavement. He was not wearing a helmet that covered his face.

Banning police are investigating this accident to determine what caused the man to lose control of his motorcycle. A number of factors are being investigated, which include a mechanical malfunction, something in the road and drugs or alcohol.

Statistics from 2008 indicate that 32 people died and about 600 people were injured from motorcycle accidents in Riverside County. My condolences go out to the family of the man for their tragic loss. I would advise them to contact an experienced Personal Injury attorney so he or she can investigate the accident and advise them of their legal rights and how to proceed.

Local man charged with child molestation charges

Author — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 05:26:42 +0000

A 40-year old man of Desert Center, was arrested by Riverside County Sheriff deputies for alleged child molestation charges after an adult female reported him. The woman stated that he molested her as a child – between the ages of 8 and 15.

The charges included unlawful sex with a minor under 14, penetration with an object and aggravated child sexual assault. The relationship between the victim and suspect was not made known. The man is being held on $1 million bail. He will have his day in court on August 30 in Indio. I suggest the man get himself a very skilled and experienced Criminal Law Attorney because the charges against him come with severe penalties and a possible prison term.

Cocaine seized at Blythe checkpoint

Author — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:14:22 +0000

It was a busy day for U. S. Border Patrol agents when they seized more than 40 pounds of cocaine, valued at over $1 million at their checkpoint on Highway 95 in Yuma. A canine team alerted Border Patrol officers that a suspicious vehicle needed to be inspected – a hidden compartment was found under the backseat.

The drugs were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for processing. If you suspect someone is transporting drugs, the Yuma Sector Border Patrol asks that you contact them at 1-866-999-8727. If you are caught carrying drugs, no matter how much, I would suggest you contact an experienced Criminal Law attorney to advise you of your rights. Drug possession carries severe consequences.

Man dies in Glen Avon car crash

Author — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 04:15:11 +0000

The California Highway Patrol reported recently that a 28-year old Banning man died when he crashed into another car and then a tree early one morning. A man died at the scene.

Police are investigating what happened to make the man to lose control of his vehicle. It is unclear if the other driver was injured. My condolences go out to the family of the man that died.

Chemical spill causes accident

Author — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 04:15:02 +0000

Thousand Palms was the scene of a chemical spill recently which left two individuals with injuries, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. A residential pool cleaning vehicle crashed early the other morning, spilling about 35 gallons of chemicals on the road.

The California Highway Patrol closed all lanes of Varner Road for several hours so a hazmat team could clean up the spill. The accident is under investigation. I would suggest that the two injured people seek the advice of an experienced Personal Injury Attorney to make sure they are compensated for their injuries and expenses that occurred because of this accident.

Two arrested at Riverside DUI checkpoint

Author — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:54:56 +0000

Friday night was a busy time for Riverside police at their DUI checkpoint on Van Buren Boulevard and Garfield Street. Not only did they arrest two people for driving under the influence and possession of drugs, but they issued 49 unlicensed drivers and/or suspended drivers. They also impounded 46 vehicles.

At the end of the evening, close to 1,400 vehicles had been stopped, checked for intoxication and unlicensed drivers. This is not only for the safety of the drivers, but for the motorists and pedestrians around them. The Riverside Police Department is hoping the people stopped and/or arrested will realize that driving and being under the influence is not safe for anyone involved.

An Estate Plan is very important

Author — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 03:39:15 +0000

I cannot emphasize enough to my clients and friends that an Estate Plan is very important. It will protect your assets and your loved ones when you die. No one enjoys thinking about what happens after they die, but it is a part of living to prepare and plan for that time. You are not alone; millions of Americans every year put estate planning off – for another time – for next year. It is devastating, however, if next year does not come – at least for you.

Most people do not know where to start. That is where an experienced Estate Planning Attorney comes in. He or she will discuss what a living trust is, why you should have one, how it will save you or your family thousands of dollars in probate taxes and how the probate process works. Your attorney will also discuss how to go about providing for your minor children and how to choose a guardian for them.

These documents come into play when you die or if you no longer can act on your own behalf. Without the proper documentation, a court will decide what can or cannot be done on your behalf. Contact a skilled Estate Planning Attorney and plan for the future; make sure your requests are met after your death. Act now; do not wait until it is too late.