Motorcyclist Killed in DUI Rear-End Crash at Sellers Ave & Chestnut St in Brentwood – July 26, 2025
Accident Overview: A male motorcyclist has died after being struck from behind by a suspected DUI driver in Brentwood early on Sunday, July 26, 2025. The fatal rear-end collision occurred at approximately 2:08 a.m. at the intersection of Sellers Avenue and Chestnut Street. According to the Brentwood Police Department, the motorcyclist was stopped while traveling northbound on Sellers Avenue when his bike was hit from the rear by another northbound vehicle. The rider sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police arrested the driver of the car on suspicion of felony DUI, with drugs being investigated as a possible factor.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Accident Type | Motorcycle vs. Vehicle Rear-End Collision |
| Location | Sellers Avenue & Chestnut Street, Brentwood, CA |
| Date | July 26, 2025 ~2:08 AM |
| Parties Involved | 1 Motorcyclist, 1 Vehicle |
| Injuries | Driver of vehicle arrested; injuries not specified. |
| Fatalities | 1 motorcyclist (male) |
| Law Enforcement | Brentwood Police Department |
| Legal Note | The motorcyclist’s family has grounds for a wrongful death claim. |
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🚨 What Happened
According to the Brentwood Police Department, a motorcyclist who was stopped at the intersection of Sellers Avenue and Chestnut Street was struck from behind by another vehicle. The force of the rear-end impact inflicted fatal injuries on the rider.
🧑⚕️ Medical Response
- Emergency crews responded to the scene, but the motorcyclist was pronounced deceased upon their arrival due to the severity of his injuries.
🚔 Investigation Underway
The driver of the vehicle that struck the motorcycle was arrested at the scene on suspicion of felony DUI. The Brentwood Police Department is conducting a full investigation to confirm the role of impairment in the crash. The intersection was closed for several hours for evidence collection.
Section 6: 📊 Contra Costa & California Motorcycle Crash Statistics
🏍️ Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable on the road. In Contra Costa County, there were 225 victims killed or injured in motorcycle crashes in a single year, highlighting the significant local risk to riders.
🍻 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a leading cause of fatal crashes in California. Statewide, alcohol-impaired drivers are involved in thousands of fatal and injury collisions annually. When a DUI driver causes a death, they face both criminal charges and civil liability for wrongful death.
💥 Rear-end collisions are tragically common and often deadly for motorcyclists. Unlike occupants of a passenger car, a rider has no protection from the force of impact from behind, often leading to catastrophic injuries even at lower speeds.
🌃 The hours between 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. are the most dangerous for all road users, with a high incidence of both DUI and fatal collisions. This crash, occurring just after 2:00 a.m., falls directly within this high-risk window.
(Sources: California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA))
⚖️ What Are the Family’s Legal Options After a Fatal DUI Motorcycle Crash?
When a motorcyclist is killed by an impaired driver, the surviving family has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek justice and compensation. This civil claim is entirely separate from the criminal DUI charges the driver will face.
🧑💼 Filing a Wrongful Death Claim for Negligence
The family of the deceased rider can file a claim against the DUI driver. In a rear-end collision where the driver was impaired, negligence is strongly presumed. The claim aims to hold the driver financially accountable for the devastating consequences of their reckless decision to drive under the influence.
💵 Damages the Family Can Recover
A wrongful death claim allows the family to seek compensation for numerous losses, including:
Funeral and burial costs
Loss of the victim’s future income and financial contributions
Loss of the love, companionship, and support of their loved one
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the defendant for their egregious conduct (DUI) and to deter similar behavior in the future.
🚨 Pursuing Justice Beyond the Criminal Case
The outcome of the driver’s criminal DUI case does not prevent the family from pursuing a civil wrongful death claim. The standard of proof is different, and a civil case focuses on securing financial recovery for the family’s immense losses, which the criminal system does not provide.
💼 Past Case Results
⚖️ $4 Million Settlement – Fatal Motorcycle Accident Due to Hazardous Road The children of a man killed in a motorcycle accident received a $4 million settlement. The case successfully argued that a construction company and the City of Ventura were negligent in creating hazardous road conditions with loose debris that caused the fatal crash.
⚖️ $2.5 Million Settlement – Fatal Motorcycle Crash Caused by Drunk Driver A settlement was reached for the family of a motorcyclist who was killed by a drunk driver. The compensation was intended to cover lifetime medical care that would have been needed, loss of future income, pain and suffering, and punitive damages for the driver’s reckless actions.
⚖️ $1.9 Million Settlement – Wrongful Death Rear-End Truck Accident A settlement was awarded to the family of a mother of three who was killed after being rear-ended by a large truck. The case focused on the negligence of the truck driver and the profound loss of parental care and support.
👨⚖️ Fighting for Families After a Fatal Motorcycle Accident
The sudden loss of a loved one in a motorcycle accident is a devastating blow. Life can change in an instant due to a driver’s negligence, leaving families to navigate immense grief and an uncertain future. We understand that legal action is the last thing on your mind, but it is a critical step toward securing justice and stability.
Our mission is to lift the legal burden from your shoulders. While you focus on family and healing, our dedicated team will meticulously investigate the crash, prove liability, and fight for the full compensation your family is owed. We handle these sensitive cases with the compassion they require and the legal tenacity they demand.
✔️ Decades of experience handling complex motorcycle wrongful death claims.
✔️ Over $1 billion recovered for injury victims and grieving families across California.
✔️ We build a powerful case to demonstrate the full impact of your loss.
✔️ You will pay no out-of-pocket fees unless and until we win your case.
💡 Want answers fast? Our team will review your case for free—no pressure, no commitment.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
The driver was arrested for DUI. Is a civil lawsuit still necessary?
Yes, absolutely. A DUI arrest leads to a criminal case, which punishes the driver but does not provide financial compensation to your family. A separate civil wrongful death lawsuit is necessary to hold the driver financially accountable for your losses, including lost income, funeral expenses, and the loss of your loved one’s companionship.
How is fault proven when a motorcycle is rear-ended?
In rear-end collisions, there is a strong legal presumption that the driver of the rear vehicle is at fault for following too closely or failing to pay attention. When the victim is a motorcyclist who was stopped, this presumption is even more powerful. An investigation confirms this by analyzing the police report, vehicle damage, and any available evidence.
Is there a time limit to file a wrongful death claim in California?
Yes. The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in California is generally two years from the date of the person’s death. It is crucial to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure evidence is preserved and all legal deadlines are met.
Can we seek more compensation because the driver was impaired?
Potentially, yes. In addition to standard compensation for economic and non-economic losses, cases involving a DUI driver may allow the family to pursue punitive damages. These damages are not meant to compensate for a loss, but rather to punish the defendant for their reckless and malicious conduct and to deter similar behavior in the future.
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