Valerie Zimich, 22, and Nickolas L. Johnston, 23, seriously injured after street racing crash on Kingwood Avenue in Mill City, Oregon

At about 2:30 a.m. Nickolas L. Johnston was racing a friend and accelerated to pass him when he lost control and struck a tree with enough force to eject the car's engine. Johnston suffered a broken leg, broken ribs, and possibly a punctured lung. Valerie Zimich was a passenger in Johnston's vehicle, and she suffered multiple broken bones and a severed right foot. Both peopel had to be extricated from the vehicle. Johnston was taken to Santiam Memorial Hospital, and Zimich was taken to Salem Hospital. Alcohol was a factor in the crash. What every victim of a drunk driving accident needs to know: It is a sad fact that many injury and fatal accidents are caused by drunk or drugged drivers. Despite all prevention efforts, people still take the risk and drive after drinking, causing a large number of accidents and deaths on American roads. All victims of a drunk driving collision, or the loved ones of someone killed by a drunk driver, need reliable information on what to do immediately to ensure that the at-fault driver is held accountable. Learn more here about the law, drunk driving accidents and claims.