DUI Crash Injures Boy, Driver Arrested in Encinitas

Boy Injured After Suspected DUI Crash Sends Pickup into Encinitas Storefront

A child was injured Wednesday evening, October 8, 2025, after a two-vehicle collision sent a pickup truck off the roadway and into a storefront along South Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas. Deputies from the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station responded around 5:59 p.m. to the area of South Coast Highway 101 and West D Street. According to initial reports, a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado rear-ended a Toyota Prius before veering onto the sidewalk and striking the Gelato 101 Building at 480 S. Coast Highway 101.

First responders found a young boy inside the business trapped beneath the Silverado. He was conscious and breathing when rescued and was transported to Rady Children’s Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. The driver of the pickup, a 64-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The occupants of the Prius were evaluated at the scene and did not appear to be injured. Authorities indicated the investigation remains active.

What We Know So Far

- Time and place: Roughly 5:59 p.m., near South Coast Highway 101 and West D Street in Encinitas.
- Vehicles involved: A 2026 Chevrolet Silverado and a Prius.
- Sequence of events: The pickup reportedly struck the rear of the Prius, left the roadway, and collided with a commercial building, causing significant property damage and injuring a child inside.
- Injuries and arrests: The child was hospitalized for evaluation. The pickup’s driver was detained on suspicion of driving under the influence and also received medical care for non-life-threatening injuries. The Prius occupants were assessed by paramedics and did not report injuries at the scene.
- Status: Law enforcement continues to investigate contributing factors, including impairment, speed, distraction, and potential mechanical issues.

DUI Crashes in Context

Alcohol-impaired driving remains a persistent safety concern across California. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, approximately 1,355 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 2023. While that figure reflects a modest decrease from 2022, it still represents a substantial increase compared to 2014. California agencies increasingly embrace a Safe System approach, which recognizes that mistakes happen but aims to prevent them from resulting in death or serious harm by addressing multiple layers of risk—roadway design, vehicle safety, responsible road use, appropriate speeds, and post-crash response.

Potential Legal Issues and Liability

Collisions of this nature often raise several civil liability questions beyond the immediate criminal DUI investigation:

- At-fault driver: A driver found to have operated a vehicle while impaired may be liable for injuries, medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. In egregious DUI cases, punitive damages may be available under California law to punish and deter particularly dangerous conduct.
- Vehicle owner: If the owner of the pickup is different from the driver, the owner may bear responsibility under permissive use or negligent entrustment theories, depending on the facts.
- Employer liability: If the driver was acting within the scope of employment, the employer could be liable under respondeat superior.
- Property damage claims: Businesses or property owners affected by a vehicle impact may pursue claims for building repairs, lost inventory, lost business income, and other related costs.
- Comparative fault: California follows pure comparative negligence. Even if multiple factors contributed to the crash, injured parties may seek compensation reduced by any percentage of fault assigned to them.