An early morning single-vehicle crash in Berkeley sent one man to the hospital with critical injuries and closed one of the major commute routes for several hours. According to Berkeley police, a 21-year-old Castro Valley man was driving a Corvette on Tunnel Road in the vicinity of the Claremont Hotel around 2:20 a.m. June 20 when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a pole.

A 24-year-old passenger in the Corvette was severely injured and was taken to Highland Hospital in Oakland. His injuries were so severe that a fatal-accident team was called in to investigate the accident. The accident resulted in Tunnel Road being closed in both directions until around 7 a.m. The eastbound lane remained closed until approximately 11:30 a.m.

According to reports, the Corvette driver attempted to leave the scene on foot. However, police found him a short distance away and took him into custody. He is facing various charges related to DUI, hit-and-run, driving without a license and battery on a police officer. He was being held in the Berkeley jail on $91,200 bond and was scheduled to appear in an Oakland court June 23 for an arraignment hearing.

Car accidents often result in severe injuries or death. A person injured in a car accident may be left with pain and disabilities. Physical therapy is often necessary, and long-term care is sometimes needed. Medical bills can be significant, especially if multiple surgeries are required. In order for a person to seek compensation for their injuries, it is sometimes possible for the victim to file a personal injury lawsuit. When a car accident results in death, it is sometimes possible for the victim's family to file a wrongful death claim.

Source: Contra Costa Times, "Berkeley: Driver arrested after fleeing DUI crash that injured passenger, police say", Rick Hurd, June 20, 2014