One Killed, Two Injured in Brockton OUI Wreck

November 29, 2012

A woman was recently killed and two men were seriously injured in a suspected drunk driving crash in Brockton. 29-year-old Claudio DePina was allegedly driving a Nissan Sentra at a high rate of speed on Plain Street when he lost control near Otto Street and left the roadway. The vehicle reportedly hit a stone wall before it flipped and struck a tree. Following the accident, 28-year-old Delia Moeda of Brockton was transported to Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital where she reportedly died as a result of the injuries she sustained in the crash. In addition, 30-year-old Tony Barros of Brockton was transported to Boston Medical Center by emergency medical helicopter with life-threatening injuries. DePina was also allegedly hurt in the fatal accident.

Prosecutor David Belcher said DePina was combative to local police and the man was placed under arrest before he was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The driver also reportedly admitted to drinking hard liquor for several hours immediately prior to the accident. DePina was charged in Brockton District Court with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, manslaughter, speeding, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, resisting arrest, and several other legal infractions. The following morning, a Brockton judge ordered DePina held on a $250,000 bond.

The owner of the property where the accident occurred, Cindy Andrews, stated the vehicle sounded like a jet as it sped down Plain Street. The speed limit on the roadway is 30 miles per hour. According to her neighbors, DePina's Nissan was not only speeding but also driving on a temporary donut tire.

Sadly, tragic and preventable automobile accidents like this one are all too common in Massachusetts. Everyone is placed at risk whenever a drunk driver makes the choice to get behind the wheel of an automobile. The victim of a drunk or reckless driver may be entitled to receive compensation for the costs associated with their medical care, any resulting temporary or permanent disability, pain and suffering, lost wages and benefits, and a variety of other damages. In addition, certain family members of someone who died as a result of the actions of an impaired driver may also be eligible to receive damages for mental anguish, loss of companionship, and reimbursement for funeral expenses. Finally, anyone who was hurt in a Massachusetts car accident may be entitled to receive Personal Injury Protection benefits from an insurance company. If you were the victim of a drunk or otherwise impaired driver in Massachusetts, you are advised to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the crash.

If you were hurt or a loved one was killed by a drunk driver, call the Law Offices of Sousa & Sousa, P.C. at (508) 230-5300 in Brockton. Our experienced Brockton car accident attorneys have more than 37 years of combined experience assisting the victims of unexpected and avoidable injury accidents throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Law Offices of Sousa & Sousa represents clients who were injured in Brockton, Taunton, Easton, Stoughton, Bridgewater, and other surrounding towns. To speak with a hardworking personal injury attorney today, please do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Sousa & Sousa through the law firm's website.

• Motorcyclist Seriously Injured in Crash on Route 138 in Easton, Brockton Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, November 25, 2012
• Four Hurt in Rush-Hour Pile-Up on Foundry Street in Easton, Brockton Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, November 12, 2012

• Vehicle "like a jet" before fatal crash; victim ID'd, by Justin Graeber, The Enterprise

Photo credit: SyntheticD, Stock.xchng