[04-07-2024] Monterey County, CA – Four People Injured After Suspected DUI Driver Crashed Off Wharf Into Ocean

Four people were injured after a suspected DUI driver crashed off a wharf and into the ocean in Monterey in the early hours of Sunday, April 7, 2024.

According to the Monterey Police Department, the incident happened at about 1:30 a.m. around Municipal Wharf 2.

Police said that they first saw the crashed vehicle, a green Chevrolet pickup truck with four occupants, turn the wrong way onto a one-way street along Alvarado Street. Another officer who got hold of the situation then attempted to make a traffic stop around Municipal Wharf 2, but the Chevy instead sped toward the end of the wharf.

The officer then gave chase before losing the suspect vehicle. Backup officers soon turned up and they tried finding the vehicle and its occupants on foot. It was when they heard someone yelling from the ocean that they realized that the Chevy driver had driven off the wharf and into the ocean to escape police.

All four occupants of the now-submerged vehicle were rescued. The driver, later identified as 21-year-old Fresno native Martin U., was transported to a nearby hospital for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. His three passengers, meanwhile, all sustained minor injuries.

The driver is being held on suspicion of both resisting or obstructing a police officer and driving while intoxicated.

Police work is underway.

Don’t Know What To Do After An Accident?

Your safety and rights depend on what you do next after an accident. Remember the following steps if you find yourself in one:

• Check yourself for any injuries.

• Stay on the scene, call 9-1-1, and wait for emergency responders.

• Move your vehicle to the road shoulder if safe; turn on hazard lights.

• Fully cooperate with law enforcement and stay until cleared to leave.

• Document the scene and injuries with photos and videos.

• Seek immediate medical attention.

• Contact your insurance company and find a personal injury lawyer for legal advice.

What A Lawyer Can Do For You

Many victims put off calling a lawyer even if they sustain injuries after an accident. However, lawyers can help you in many ways. They can provide you with police reports, CCTV footage, and witness statements to strengthen your case. Your attorney will also negotiate with insurance companies to get you fair compensation. 

The best part is that they will do all of these things for you at no upfront cost. So if you’re injured in an accident, hire a personal injury attorney to recover medical bills, car repair costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.