Auburn, Washington – Teenager Suffers Head Injuries in Two-Car Collision

Auburn, Washington (October 21, 2019) – A 17 year-old teenager sustained a serious head injury in two-car collision that occurred on the 500 block of Oravetz Road on Monday evening. The victim, identified as Michael Salo, was taken to St. Joseph’s hospital for brain surgery as he was suffering a brain bleed. The driver of the other car, identified as Carlos Dominguez- Erives, appears to be uninjured in the incident and has been arrested.

According to the report, the incident occurred around 6 p.m. Salo was leaving a junior varsity game when his car was struck by Dominguez-Erives, who had run a stop sign while texting and driving. Dominguez-Erives failed a sobriety test and was originally arrested for DUI, with the charges later joined to vehicular assault. He has been booked into Regional Justice Center in Kent. Investigation on the incident is still ongoing.

About Vehicle Accidents

According to 2016 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 29 people die everyday from vehicle accidents involving an alcohol-impaired driver, which translates to a death every 50 minutes. Additionally, 2016 data also points to 28% of all traffic-related deaths in America. Driving under influence covers not only alcohol-impaired drivers, but also those under the influence of other substances. Drugs other than alcohol accounted for 16% of vehicle crashes in 2015 data. Marijuana use in particular is rising, with 13% of nighttime weekends drivers being found with marijuana in their system. Whether impaired by alcohol, narcotics, or any other substances, the dangers of driving under influence should be clear. Driving is an activity that requires awareness at all times and following street regulations as much as possible. Being under the influence of other substances brings down road awareness, as well as closing down reflex skills and attention.

We urge everyone to be in a stable health condition before going behind the wheel. Any condition that can cause impairments on your judgement puts many people at risk, which goes not only for drivers but pedestrians as well. Aside from the obvious dangers of drunk driving, it would also help to identify busy roads and try to avoid being in their proximity to minimize any risk of a vehicle accident. Any mistake can lead to injuries and damage not only to your person, but on other people as well. Our sympathies and compassion for anyone who was caught up in a vehicle accident due to intoxicated drivers.

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