Pomona, CA (June 9, 2026) – A man was killed Sunday evening, June 7, after a car left the roadway and struck a tree on Santa Clara Drive near Calle Del Mar in Pomona. The Pomona Police Department said the crash happened at approximately 7 p.m.
The vehicle, a black Subaru WRX, was traveling northbound when the driver lost control. Jorge Abascal, 47, of Covina, was found outside the car when emergency units arrived. A 37-year-old passenger was found in the back seat with serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene despite medical care rendered by first responders.
Abascal was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was booked into Pomona City Jail on charges of DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. The passenger had not been publicly identified at the time of publication.
The accident remains under active investigation.
We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man who lost his life.
Can a Victim’s Family Sue a DUI Driver After a Fatal Crash in Pomona, CA?
Yes, in California, the family of someone killed by a drunk driver can file a wrongful death lawsuit separate from any criminal case. Criminal charges are prosecuted by the state, but a civil claim is brought by the family and focuses on financial recovery.
The stretch of Santa Clara Drive is a neighborhood corridor where speed and impairment are especially dangerous given the proximity to residential properties and roadside trees. DUI-related crashes in Los Angeles County occur with troubling frequency along these types of local roads.
California law also allows punitive damages in cases involving drunk driving, which go beyond compensating the family and are meant to penalize especially reckless conduct.
Compensation in a wrongful death case may include funeral costs, lost income, and the loss of companionship and support the deceased provided. A car accident attorney can evaluate whether damages may apply and what evidence from the criminal case could support a civil claim.
The loss of a loved one due to a drunk driving crash leaves families with difficult questions. At Saleh Law Group, we can explain what legal options may be available and what steps may matter most early on under California law.
To learn more, you can reach Saleh Law Group at (949) 431-6371. We are available to answer all your doubts.
