Chain | Cohn | Clark helps local family affected by crash caused by alleged DUI driver
September 19, 2018 | Article by Chain | Cohn | Clark staff | At the Firm , Community Service , News & Media Social Share
On Aug. 18, Bakersfield attorney Henry Noto allegedly got behind the wheel of his vehicle while under the influence, despite previously receiving two misdemeanors — in 2014 and 2016 — for DUI, according to news reports.
On this occasion, however, this decision caused severe injuries to several people when he failed to stop at a stop sign at on Highway 43 and struck another vehicle head on. He had a blood alcohol content of 0.16 percent at the time of the crash, according to CHP reports.
Noto, 62, was charged on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury in connection with the collision. According to news reports, Noto faces a felony with years of prison time.
Recently, The Bakersfield Californian spoke with Chain | Cohn | Clark attorney Matt Clark regarding the DUI crash that injured 26-year-old David Perez, who suffered substantial physical injuries, including a brain injury, when Noto crashed into his vehicle. Clark is assisting the Perez family in the civil case with charge, or pro bono.
The crash and case comes before the fifth Bakersfield Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash on Sept. 29, in which Chain | Cohn | Clark is the presenting sponsor. The event aims to raise awareness of the DUI problem in Kern County, raise funds for MADD Kern County’s educational programs and victim services, and support local victims and survivors of drunk and drugged driving crashes.
You can read more about Chain | Cohn | Clark’s involvement in the civil case against Noto below. You can also listen to an interview with Clark on the Richard Beene Show.
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By Jason Kotowski
A Bakersfield DUI attorney waived his preliminary hearing Monday and will stand trial in connection with an alleged drunken driving crash last month that injured four.
Also, new details have been released regarding the injuries suffered by one of the victims, a correctional officer whose vehicle was struck by attorney Henry Noto.
David Perez, 26, suffered “substantial” physical injuries including a brain injury, attorney Matthew C. Clark of civil law firm Chain Cohn Clark said Monday.
“It’s going to be a long road for this young man,” he said.
The correctional officer is undergoing therapy at a local rehabilitation center. He can talk and carry on conversations, but Clark said it’s been his experience from representing others with head trauma that it takes time before the full extent of the injuries is known.
Perez had about 30 staples in his head after the crash, he said.
The firm is representing Perez pro bono and expects to soon file a lawsuit against Noto, Clark said. It’s likely they’ll be limited in what they can do for Perez, he said, because whatever money Noto has won’t be enough to pay for the officer’s treatment.
Noto, 62, failed to stop at a stop sign while exiting Interstate 5 at Highway 43 on Aug. 18, according to the California Highway Patrol. He hit Perez’s vehicle and pushed it into opposing lanes, where a third vehicle struck it.
The attorney and a female passenger, Heather Rush, 31, were also injured and taken to a local hospital. The driver of the third vehicle, 32-year-old Lucus Cotter, suffered moderate injuries but declined treatment, according to the CHP.
Noto’s blood-alcohol content was 0.16 percent, twice the legal driving limit, officers said. He’s charged with two felony DUI charges.
Court records show Noto has two prior DUI convictions, both for misdemeanors.
“It’s the same story over and over again,” Clark said. “A guy with multiple DUIs gets into another DUI accident and causes substantial life-changing injuries. It’s getting to be an old story.”
It’s especially troubling, Clark said, because Noto specializes in DUI cases.
“He practices an area of law where he’s fully aware of the risks of driving while intoxicated,” the attorney said. “And he did. He did it multiple times.
“There’s just no excuse for it.”
Noto’s next court hearing is Sept. 27. He remains in custody.
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If you or someone you know is injured in a crash caused by a DUI driver, please contact the Bakersfield injury lawyers at Chain | Cohn | Clark by calling (661) 323-4000.
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MEDIA COVERAGE
- DUI attorney to stand trial in connection with alleged drunken driving crash that injured four (The Bakersfield Californian – Sept. 18, 2018) (online version)
- Richard Beene Show (KERN Radio – Sept. 26, 2018)
