Man Injured on Motorcycle was the Victim of a Drunk Driver

A former Navy seaman, who has survived two tours in Iraq without an injury, almost died June 14 when a suspected drunk driver struck him on the freeway near Torrance, according to a news report in the Daily Breeze. Brandon Wexler, 23, is still in critical condition and needs to undergo more surgeries to repair his damaged bladder, crushed pelvis and broken femur.

The accident occurred on the 110 Freeway at Alondra Boulevard when Wexler got hit from behind, hurtled through the air into a traffic lane where a sport utility vehicle then rolled over his body at 65 mph, the article said. It’s interesting to note that Wexler was actually on the freeway with members of his motorcycle club trying to help another injured SUV driver.

But as Wexler slowed to 50 mph to stop, the suspected drunk driver hit him from behind at 70 mph. He underwent six hours of surgery and told the newspaper what he said to his grandma: “I survived Iraq, I’m not going to die in Torrance.” After he recovers completely, Wexler hopes to get back on his motorcycle.

He obviously has great spirit and the courage to fight, but very understandably he is also angry at the driver who chose to operate her vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent. She made it impossible for Wexler to avoid danger on the freeway. Prosecutors have charged the driver, 34-year-old Leticia Porter, with various law violations, including felony driving under the influence and causing injury.

At Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, we continually represent injured motorcyclists. The fact is motorcyclists do face a lot of danger on our roads, especially the freeway where speeds are high and sometimes, the visibility of a motorcyclist is low. These dangers become particularly pronounced when alcohol and drugs are thrown into the mix. Drunk driving is one of those factors, just like a dangerous roadway, that is beyond the control of someone who is riding on a motorcycle. As Wexler says, he was helpless and there was not a thing he could do about it, except rejoice that he is still alive.

That said, people must face the consequences for negligent and irresponsible behavior. We have held many of these people and sometimes, entities, responsible for their actions. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, call me, John Bisnar at 1-800-259-6373, to find out about your legal rights and options.