Oct. 19, 2009, San Diego DUI Car Accident Leaves Two Dead.

Lance Corporal Robert “Tyler” Austin, 20, of Corinth, TX, was killed in a San Diego car accident the morning of October 10, 2009. Austin, a U.S. Marine stationed in Twenty-nine Palms had recently completed a tour in Iraq. He was buried today at DFW National Cemetery with full military honors and an Irish farewell.

This video is in his honor and a reminder that; DUI in the USA is a serious concern.
• Austin (Marine) – 20-year-old died as a result of injuries.
• Garcia (Civilian) – 21-year-old died at the scene.
• Tinoco (Civilian) – 18-year-old arrested and charged.
• Unidentified (Civilian) – 17-year-old arrested and charged.
• 1 Civilian and 3 Marines were also injured.

According to a news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Austin, a U.S. Marine stationed in Twentynine Palms, was with a group of other Marines riding in a Jeep Cherokee that was involved in a minor crash. The Jeep was headed north on the 15 Freeway in Escondido when it was rear-ended by a driver of a Volvo, causing the Jeep to spin out of control. Austin and several others got out of the Jeep. Moments later, a Chevy Cavalier crashed into the Jeep. Austin was knocked off the freeway by the Cavalier and pushed down an embankment to the canyon below.

The driver of the Cavalier and his passenger fled the scene of the crash on foot. Shortly afterward, the driver of another Jeep – a Grand Cherokee model, crashed into the abandoned Cavalier. The driver of that vehicle, 21-year-old Sarah Garcia, was killed. Austin died shortly after the crash and three other Marines were treated for minor injuries. The driver of the Cavalier, 18-year-old Oscar Tinoco and the passenger, an unidentified 17-year-old, were arrested. Tinoco was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, felony driving under the influence and felony hit-and-run.

Drunk Driving Statistics for the United States

• Alcohol-related car crashes kill someone every 30 minutes and injure someone every two minutes.
• In the United States, drunk driving is the leading criminal cause of death.
• More than 17,000 people are the victims of drunk driving accidents every year.
• Approximately 40% of all motor-vehicle fatalities are alcohol-related.
• Frequent drunk drivers are responsible for almost 60% of alcohol-related fatalities.
• In 2007, drivers between the ages of 16-20 were involved in 1,719 drunk driving accidents.

Special Thanks:
• David- DFW Cemetery
• Marines – Ft. Worth Naval Air Station
• Patriot Guard Riders of North Texas
• Stephen Seay : Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home

Bagpipe Military Funeral Music:
• Sergeant Mackenzie
• Going Home
• Amazing Grace

Video Production:
• Jerry Castillo
• Producer