Repeat Drunk Driver Faces Murder Charges in Newport Beach Collision That Killed 14-Year-Old Girl

Daniela P on May 31, 2024

Newport Beach Drunk Driving Accident Leads to Murder Charges

Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old Fontana man with a history of drunk driving convictions, has been charged with murder following a tragic Newport Beach drunk driving accident that claimed the life of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto. The incident occurred on the Balboa Peninsula during the Memorial Day weekend, as Smiley attempted to cross Balboa Boulevard with two other people.

5 Key Points

  • Joseph Alcazar, a repeat DUI offender, has been charged with murder and other crimes related to the Newport Beach drunk driving accident.
  • The collision resulted in the death of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley and injured a 13-year-old girl.
  • Alcazar’s blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit at the time of the incident.
  • The suspect had been previously convicted of DUI offenses in 2016 and 2020.
  • If convicted on all counts, Alcazar faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life plus six years.

Tragic Collision on Balboa Peninsula

On Saturday, Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley and two other individuals were crossing Balboa Boulevard, west of Palm Street, against the don’t walk sign. A driver stopped to allow the group to cross; however, Alcazar, who was in the vehicle behind the stopped car, allegedly drove around it and struck Smiley while also running over a 13-year-old girl’s foot. Tragically, Smiley was pronounced dead at the scene.

Suspect’s History of DUI Convictions

Alcazar’s criminal history reveals two prior convictions for driving under the influence in San Bernardino County. In 2016 and 2020, he was found guilty of DUI offenses, with one incident resulting in severe injuries to himself. Despite these previous convictions, Alcazar chose to drive while intoxicated once again, leading to the devastating Newport Beach drunk driving accident that took the life of a young girl.

Endangering a Child and Traumatizing Witnesses

At the time of the crash, Alcazar’s 8-year-old daughter and another man were passengers in his vehicle. District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned Alcazar’s actions, stating, “A repeat drunk driver not only took the life of a little girl, but he also endangered the life of his daughter by getting behind the wheel after drinking and traumatized her and the other young girls who witnessed him hitting and killing a teenager.”

Charges and Potential Sentencing

Alcazar has been charged with murder, driving under the influence of alcohol causing significant bodily injury with two previous prior convictions, driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC of 0.08 or higher with two previous prior convictions, and a misdemeanor count of willful endangerment of a child. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life plus six years.

The Newport Beach drunk driving accident that claimed the life of Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of driving under the influence. As the case against Joseph Alcazar progresses, the community mourns the loss of a young life and hopes for justice to be served. Read More about Repeat Drunk Driver Faces Murder Charges in Newport Beach Collision That Killed 14-Year-Old Girl

California’s Paraquat Ban Gains Momentum in State Legislature

Michael S on May 30, 2024

Paraquat Linked to Parkinson’s Disease, Prompting Legislative Action

California has taken a significant step towards banning the controversial herbicide paraquat, as a pivotal state legislative committee approved the measure on Thursday. The proposed ban, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, would prohibit the use, manufacture, sale, delivery, holding, or offering for sale of any pesticide product containing Paraquat. The bill includes a provision allowing state regulators to reevaluate Paraquat and potentially reapprove it with or without new restrictions.

5 Key Points

  • California’s proposed paraquat ban is driven by concerns over the chemical’s link to Parkinson’s disease.
  • Thousands of farmers, agricultural workers, and others are suing paraquat maker Syngenta, alleging they developed Parkinson’s due to long-term exposure.
  • Internal Syngenta documents reveal the company’s awareness of Paraquat’s potential health risks and efforts to influence regulatory bodies and public opinion.
  • Parkinson’s disease rates have been climbing in the United States, with the death rate increasing by more than 60% over the past two decades.
  • Several countries, including the European Union, UK, Switzerland, and China, have banned Paraquat due to safety concerns.

Paraquat’s Widespread Use and Controversy

Paraquat is one of the most widely used weed-killing chemicals worldwide, with farmers using it to control weeds before planting and to dry out crops for harvest. In the United States, the chemical is used in orchards, wheat fields, pastures, cotton fields, and other agricultural settings. Despite Syngenta’s claims that Paraquat is safe when used according to directions and with proper protective equipment, the chemical has been banned in dozens of countries due to acute dangers and mounting evidence of health risks, such as Parkinson’s disease, from chronic, long-term exposure.

Secret Syngenta Records and Influence

Assemblymember Laura Friedman’s office cited internal Syngenta documents uncovered by The New Lede and The Guardian, which reveal the company’s long-standing awareness of scientific research linking Paraquat to Parkinson’s disease. These documents also show evidence of Syngenta’s efforts to manipulate and influence the EPA and the publication of scientific literature supporting Paraquat’s safety. The company allegedly worked to mislead the public about Paraquat’s dangers and employed secret strategies to maintain the chemical’s market presence.

California’s Proactive Approach to Chemical Regulation

California has a history of taking quicker action than the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in restricting chemicals associated with severe health concerns. In 2019, after the EPA failed to follow through on plans to ban the insecticide chlorpyrifos, California announced its ban, citing evidence of the chemical’s association with impaired brain and neurological development in children and other sensitive populations.

The paraquat ban bill will now be voted on by the entire Assembly next week. A majority of 80 Assembly members is required to keep the measure alive. If successful, the bill will move to the state Senate for consideration.

New EPA Data Shows Widespread PFAS Contamination in U.S. Drinking Water Systems

Michael S on May 29, 2024

EPA Data Reveals Widespread PFAS Contamination in U.S. Drinking Water

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released data showing that almost 300 public drinking water systems in the United States have exceeded the newly established annual limits for PFAS, or per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. These nearly indestructible “forever chemicals” have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers and other serious health issues. As more water utilities submit their test results over the next two years, the number of affected systems is expected to grow significantly.

5 Key Points

  • The EPA estimates that up to 6,000 water systems may need corrective action to reduce PFAS levels.
  • Public water systems in Fort Worth, Texas; Fresno, California; Pensacola, Florida; and Augusta, Georgia, exceed the new limits.
  • Water utilities invest in granular activated carbon filtration and other treatment methods to remove PFAS from their water.
  • Compliance with the new EPA rules may lead to increased water rates for consumers.
  • Addressing PFAS contamination is expected to be expensive, but the cost of inaction could be even greater.

Water Systems Taking Action to Remove PFAS

Many water utilities have already begun taking steps to address PFAS contamination in their water supplies. In Fort Worth, Texas, where three separate PFAS chemicals exceeded the new limits at two water treatment plants, the city plans to design a treatment process using granular activated carbon. The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority in Pensacola, Florida, also invests in granular activated carbon filtration for wells with PFAS detections.

The Water Authority of Western Nassau County on Long Island, New York, has been installing PFAS treatment on contaminated wells to comply with state regulations. However, with stricter federal standards, the authority must revisit and retrofit some of its previous projects.

Private Water Operators Address PFAS Contamination

Veolia Water, the largest private operator of water services in the U.S., has proactively addressed PFAS contamination in several states. In Delaware, where one of its water treatment plants averaged nearly five times over the new limit for PFOA, the company is constructing a new treatment facility housing 42 carbon filters. The facility is expected to be fully operational by early 2025.

The Cost of Compliance

Complying with the new EPA rules is expected to be expensive for water utilities. Many will seek federal assistance to reduce the burden on ratepayers, but more money needs to be made available for everyone. As a result, some water systems may need to raise customer rates to recover the costs associated with PFAS treatment projects.

However, experts argue that the cost of inaction could be even greater. “The cost of doing nothing is going to be far worse than the cost of doing something about this,” said Adam Lisberg, senior vice president of communications in Veolia’s municipal water division.

California Legislation Seeks to Ban Paraquat Herbicide Amid Health Concerns and EPA Inaction

Michael S on May 8, 2024

California Legislation Aims to Ban Paraquat Herbicide Amid Growing Health Concerns

Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Burbank) has introduced legislation in the California Assembly (AB 1963) to phase out and ban the use of the weed killer paraquat by the end of 2025 across all uses, including agriculture. The introduction of this bill follows a long history of scientific documentation of the pesticide’s hazards, including links to Parkinson’s disease, and inaction by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address these concerns.

5 Key Points

  • Paraquat has been linked to severe health issues, including Parkinson’s disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and childhood leukemia.
  • The herbicide is highly toxic to humans, with low doses causing death, and has been banned in over 60 countries.
  • EPA has downplayed the connection between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease despite growing scientific evidence.
  • Beyond Pesticides, other advocates argue that EPA’s actions represent a failure to protect public health proactively.
  • The bill aims to phase out and ban the use of paraquat in California by the end of 2025, citing the need for action in the face of EPA inaction.

Health Concerns and Scientific Evidence 

Studies have consistently linked paraquat exposure to various adverse health impacts for humans and wildlife. A 2005 study in Toxicological Sciences was able to reproduce features of Parkinson’s disease in experimental animals, and subsequent research has continued to replicate findings associating paraquat with Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, a 2022 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found a linkage between paraquat dichloride and thyroid cancer, while another study published the same year in Independent determined the toxic impacts of paraquat on bird embryos.

EPA Inaction and Criticism 

Despite the growing body of scientific evidence, EPA has been criticized for downplaying the connection between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease. In 2019, the agency released a systematic literature review, which advocates criticized for dismissing the linkage between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease. Beyond Pesticides submitted comments concluding that the many risk concerns and uncertainties identified in human health and ecological risk assessments make it “unconscionable to allow continued use of such a dangerous pesticide as paraquat.”

Alternatives to Paraquat 

While EPA asserts that there are no direct alternatives to paraquat, Beyond Pesticides argues that several chemical and non-chemical options are widely available. The organization states that given the availability of alternative pest management practices that incorporate alternative cultural practices and less toxic products, EPA has a statutory duty to revoke all registrations of paraquat under its unreasonable adverse effects standard in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

The Need for Stronger Regulation and a Shift Towards Organic Land Management 

The introduction of AB 1963 in the California Assembly represents a significant step towards addressing the health concerns associated with paraquat use, particularly in light of EPA’s inaction on the issue. Beyond Pesticides, advocates around the nation argue that the failed regulation and subsequent harm caused by paraquat is but one representation of a failed regulatory system that can and should do more to eliminate the use of toxic petrochemical-based pesticides. The organization calls for expanding and strengthening organic land management principles to move beyond the existing product substitution framework that leads to the continuous use of toxic pesticides.