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Martha Cruz Aldama, 34, killed, and with alleged drunk driver Leovigildo Torralba Arzola, 29, on SR HWY 99 near Woodburn, Oregon

Modified Date: 
Thu, 05/16/2019 - 4:10pm
Accident Date: 
Sunday, November 15, 2015

Taxi rear-ended near Woodburn, passenger killed in crash

WOODBURN, Ore. – One person was killed when a suspected drunk driver rear-ended a taxi outside Woodburn early Sunday morning, police said. Taxi driver Erica Perez, 31, of Woodburn was transporting three passengers when her minivan was rear-ended, according to investigators. Martha Cruz Aldama, 34, of Woodburn was riding in the back seat and was killed in the crash, according to Sergeant Cari Boyd with Oregon State Police. The crash occurred just before 3 a.m., on SR HWY 99 near Belle Passi Road. The driver of the SUV that hit the taxi was identified as Leovigildo Torralba Arzola, 29, of Salem.

Trial for driver in Woodburn fatal crash set for September

Leovigildo Torralba-Arzola, 29, has been indicted for second-degree manslaughter, a class B felony, and six class A misdemeanors: driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII), second-degree criminal mischief, unlawful possession of a firearm and three counts of fourth-degree assault.

Why every fatality from a crash is not legally a wrongful death

After someone dies in a motor-vehicle accident, grieving family members and friends are often left with many questions. What caused the accident? Could it have been avoided? What do they do now that their loved one is gone?

Sometimes a fatal collision happens through no one's fault. Crashes caused by weather and road conditions, or by wildlife in the roadway, are examples. But when a fatal crash is caused by negligence, then family members should pursue a wrongful death claim, to uphold the victim's rights and begin the financial recovery process. Learn more about wrongful death claims here.

Type: Car Accident
Topics: 
Special Circumstances - Commercial Vehicle, DWI - DUI - Alcohol or Drug Use
People Involved: 
Martha Cruz Aldama
Erica Perez
Leovigildo Torralba Arzola
Eliceo Armmenta Arredondo
Francisco Aguilar Munoz
Roadway: 
SR HWY 99
City: 
Woodburn, OR
County: 
Marion County, OR
Area: 
Portland, OR

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