Phoenix, AZ – UPDATE: James Engel Seriously Injured in DUI Crash at 19th Ave
Phoenix, AZ (October 27, 2019) – A Valley man and his family are still reeling after a serious crash on October 4th.
According to officers from the Phoenix Police Department, 42-year-old James “Jimmy” Engel was on his way to work when he was struck by a vehicle around 3:30 a.m. The incident occurred at 19th Avenue and Deer Valley Road.
Phoenix police officials said a car ran a red light and collided with Engel’s SUV. Per information from family members, the force of the impact ejected Jimmy out of the driver’s side door, and he landed 40 feet from his vehicle. Engel’s family and friends say that he’s struggled with severe memory loss and other physical injuries in the month since the accident.
According to police records, Jimmy was transported to the hospital in critical condition with a skull fracture, brain bleed, and broken ribs.
A witness to the crash approached the suspect’s car and found 26-year-old Evan Patrick Larson in the passenger seat, but no one in the driver’s seat or anywhere else near the vehicle. Police added that the driver’s side airbag deployed, but not the passenger side airbag.
Court records stated that surveillance video from a nearby McDonald’s drive-thru showed Larson driving the car and allegedly showed him discarding a six-pack of bottles on the ground. A blood-alcohol test on Larson’s blood was pending, but Public Information Officer Tommy Thompson said no updates were available and that he had no information on the incident.
Officers from the Phoenix Police Department say the accident remains under investigation.
Our thoughts are with the injured victim and his family in this difficult time. We hope for his full recovery.
Car Accidents in Arizona
Data released by the Arizona Department of Transportation reveals that nearly 130,000 accidents took place across the country last year alone. And more than two drivers and multiple injuries or even deaths occurred in almost 11,000 of those collisions.
Following these serious collisions, victims and their families often have to deal with insurance companies, emotional distress, and financial issues. This is especially true if the crash was caused by a negligent or distracted driver. However, those affected can seek help from a personal injury lawyer and learn more about protecting their legal rights or seeking compensation after a serious crash that occurred due to another driver’s negligence.
ELG Law’s auto accident attorneys have years of experience fighting for victims and their families after they’ve suffered from an accident caused by the negligent actions of other drivers. Contact our accident attorneys today at (623) 562-3838 to schedule your free, no-hassle consultation.
Note: As a result of the secondary sources that were used to complete this post, the information included within has not been independently verified by our own staff and may include misinformation. If you read something that, to your knowledge, is incorrect, please contact us as soon as possible and we will correct the inaccuracy.
Disclaimer: As members of the local Phoenix and broader Arizona community, we hope everyone in our community is safe and protected. We cover the events included in this blog as a way to offer support to the victims in similar circumstances and to provide relief during these difficult times. However, this information should not be misconstrued as legal advice, and you should speak with a trained legal professional for more information regarding your situation.
