Southern California Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Meri Nalbandian, a sixth grader at Eleanor J. Toll Middle School in Glendale, died in a pedestrian versus SUV accident on October 29, 2008. She was struck while walking in a lighted, marked crosswalk in the 700 block of Glenwood Road. According to several eyewitnesses, the crosswalk lights were flashing, but the female driver made no attempt to stop or even slow down. Officials said the driver seemed to have been partially blinded by the glare of the rising sun. Our sources for this blog are this KABC article and a KTLA news report.

Glendale police officials say the female driver of the SUV, who had just dropped off her son at a nearby elementary school, was “not impaired in any way” and was not speeding.
But a spokeswoman for the Glendale Unified School District says the lights in the pavement were not only flashing, but there were other children crossing and there were other motorists who did yield and stop. Clearly, there were indicators that there was a pedestrian in the crosswalk.

Continue reading " Glendale Pedestrian Accident Kills 11-year-old Girl " »

Veronica Zimmermann, 17, of Napa, was killed in a Chevrolet Silverado rollover accident on October 26, 2008, according to a KTVU news report. Veronica was one of four teenagers traveling on First Avenue south of Hagen Road in the pickup truck when its 17-year-old male driver lost control. The Chevy Silverado rolled over and struck a power pole landing on its roof, California Highway Patrol officers said.

The driver, along with other teen passengers – Britney Moore, 17 and her sister Holly Moore, 15 – suffered minor injuries and were treated at an area hospital. Veronica Zimmermann, who was a passenger in the front seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. All four teens were wearing their seatbelts, CHP officials say. They also say alcohol or drugs were not involved in this tragic rollover crash.

My heart goes out to the families of all the young people who were involved in this horrific crash, especially the family of 17-year-old Veronica Zimmermann.

Continue reading " Napa Teen Killed in Chevy Silverado Rollover Accident " »

Authorities have identified the 17-year-old who died in an Anaheim motorcycle accident on October 27, 2008 as Brenden Shanks. According to this report in The Orange County Register, Shanks was on a green Kawasaki motorcycle traveling west on Santa Ana Canyon Road in Anaheim Hills when an eastbound gray Chrysler Sebring made a left turn onto Maude Lane in front of him.

Shanks, who was wearing a helmet, was critically injured in the 10/27/08 street intersection crash. He was transported to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana but died shortly after being admitted. The driver of the Sebring apparently was unhurt in the incident.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family of young Brenden Shanks. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading " Orange County Motorcycle Crash Kills Teen " »

A 28-year-old woman, Oralia Casarez, and three young children – Jesus Felix Casarez, 8, Jose Felix Casarez, 7, and Guadalupe Felix Casarez, 11 months – were all killed in an October 26, 2008 DUI auto accident in Thermal, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports. The 10/26/08 crash occurred after the driver of a Cadillac CTS ran a stop sign on Harrison Street at Avenue 62 and rammed into the driver’s side of a Ford Taurus occupied by Casarez and the children.

The Ford spun out of control, hit two concrete barriers and a fire hydrant before breaking in half. All the children, who were sitting in the rear seat, were ejected. Casarez and all three children were pronounced dead at the scene. A 30-year-old man, also in the Taurus, suffered a head injury. California Highway Patrol officials said the driver of the Cadillac, 33-year-old Andres Z. Luna of Thermal, has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence and four counts of vehicular manslaughter.

This is a tremendous tragedy for the family for Oralia Casarez and the three children – Jesus, Jose and Guadalupe. I offer my condolences to this family for their unspeakable loss. They will be in my prayers.

Continue reading " Riverside County DUI Auto Accident Kills Four " »

A family of four suffered major injuries after a drunk driver crashed head-on into their Toyota on Highway 132. The drunk driving accident occurred east of North Gates Road in the Modesto area on October 19, 2008. According to a news report in the Modesto Bee, Gabriel Guzman, 26, Lajady Guzman, 7 and Mia Guzman, 2, all suffered severe injuries and were transported to an area hospital. Felix Parada, 30, suffered moderate injuries in the 10/19/08 crash.

California Highway Patrol officials identified the suspected drunk driver as Ray Servin, 47, of Modesto. Servin has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and showing false identification. He apparently made his $25,000 bail.

Please keep the Guzman family in your prayers. I wish them the very best for a quick and complete recovery from their injuries. All four of the injured are said to be in stable condition.

Continue reading " Modesto Head-On DUI Crash Injures Family of Four " »

A 9-year-old boy, a 5-year-old boy and two women suffered injuries in a Santa Ana rollover accident on October 19, 2008, The Orange County Register reports. The crash occurred at the intersection of Hazard Avenue and Newhope Street when a Jeep and a silver Nissan Altima collided. The 9-year-old boy was ejected from the Jeep, which rolled over on its side.

It’s a relief that these children escaped with non-life threatening injuries in what could have ended up a lot worse. I offer my best wishes to both the young children and the women who were injured in this 10/19/08 accident.

In Santa Ana, there were a total of 22 fatalities in 2006 resulting from traffic collisions and 1,569 auto accident related injuries, according to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System. In Orange County as a whole, there were 199 traffic accident deaths and 14,981 injuries during the same period.

Continue reading " Santa Ana Intersection Accident Injured Four " »

A Nevada couple – Albert Demers, 83 and his wife Victoria, 86 – have died of injuries suffered in a rear-end collision on the 91 Freeway in Anaheim Hills on October 16, 2008.
Victoria Demers died immediately after the 10/16/08 crash while Albert Demers died four days later on October 20, 2008, The Orange County Register reports.

The incident occurred when the car Albert Demers was driving stalled in the westbound 91 Fast Track lanes near Weir Canyon Road. Their car was rear-ended by another driver and spun out of control, colliding with two other vehicles.

My heart goes out to the families of Albert and Victoria Demers, who died tragically in this unfortunate accident. Please keep this couple and their family in your prayers.

Continue reading " Orange County Freeway Collision Kills Nevada Couple " »

An Orange County teenager suffered serious head injuries in a Westminster pedestrian accident after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing Golden West Street on October 19, 2008. According to an article in The Orange County Register, the teenager, who has not yet been identified, was walking with his skateboard across Golden West Street at Sowell Street when he was hit by a southbound vehicle.

Westminster police officials say they don’t believe speeding or alcohol/drugs were involved in this 10/19/08 incident. Initial reports from police traffic investigators also show that driver’s negligence was not a factor in this accident.

Please keep this young man and his family in your prayers. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Continue reading " Orange County Pedestrian Accident Injures Teen " »

An Orange County Sheriff’s deputy ran over the legs of 36-year-old Michael Alon-Alon, on October 20, 2008, with his off-road patrol car in San Juan Capistrano, The Orange County Register reports. Alon-Alon, a moving company employee, had to be hospitalized for injuries he suffered in this 10/20/2008 automobile accident.

The deputy, whose name has not yet been released, was responding to a call of suspicious activity on Peppertree Bend. A resident reported seeing two men walking with flashlights and leaving a large truck running. As it turned out, the men were employees of a moving company whose vehicle had broken down and they were waiting for help. The deputy, who did not see Alon-Alon sitting down with his legs stretched out in a grassy area, drove his Chevy Tahoe over his legs.

Continue reading " Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Drives Over Man’s Legs " »

Police have arrested 43-year-old Alex Trujillo of Garden Grove in connection with a DUI hit-and-run bicycle accident in Seal Beach on October 12, 2008. The fatal bicycle accident killed mom Cathy Busse and injured her 14-year-old autistic son, Sam. The tragic 10/12/08 accident occurred when Busse and her son were riding their bicycles on Lampson Avenue east of Seal Beach Boulevard. Our source for this blog is this Orange County Register news report.

Busse was taken to the hospital with critical injuries and died shortly after the collision. Sam was treated and released for minor injuries. Trujillo underwent surgery for injuries from the collision, but was arrested as soon as he was released from the hospital. He faces charges of murder and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Seal Beach Police are also seeking more witnesses to this horrific accident. Anyone with more information is asked to call Seal Beach Police investigator Steve Chauncey at 562-799-4100, extension 1606.

We reported about this fatal bicycle accident last week.
There is no question that this is a heartbreaking loss for the Busse family. Not to mention to young Sam, who looked up to his mom as a hero and best friend, according to several news reports. The Busse family will remain in my prayers.

Continue reading " Driver In Seal Beach Fatal Bicycle Accident Faces Murder, DUI Charges " »

Officials in South El Monte have identified 47-year-old Jose Lopez as the pedestrian who was killed on October 17, 2008 after he was struck by several vehicles, including at least one hit-and-run driver. According to an article in the Pasadena Star-Newshttp://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_10762590, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred on Rosemead Boulevard just south of Rush Street.

California Highway Patrol officials say Jose Lopez walked into the path of an oncoming 2004 Honda. After that initial impact, Lopez was struck by multiple vehicles and at least one hit-and-run driver. Anyone with more information about this 10/17/08 incident is asked to call CHP’s East Los Angeles office at 323-980-4600.

I offer my condolences to Jose Lopez’s family. I hope the hit-and-run driver who failed to stop after such a horrific crash is apprehended and brought to justice.

Continue reading " El Monte Pedestrian Accident Kills Montebello Man " »

A head-on auto accident on Highway 395 near Boron, California, on October 10, 2008, took the life of Navy officer and former Whittier High School water polo player, 20-year-old Caleb “Bubba” Manning. The Whittier Daily News reports Manning was driving a 2008 Ford Ranger south on the highway when he veered into the northbound lane and crashed into a 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck. Manning, who was wearing a seatbelt, was killed instantly according to a coroner’s report.

My heart goes out to Manning’s family and everybody who knew and loved him. This is a tragedy that has taken away a young and promising life.

A head-on crash typically occurs when a vehicle crosses a centerline or a median and crashes into an approaching vehicle. These types of auto accidents can occur as a result of a driver’s inadvertent actions or deliberate actions. According to 1999 statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatal Analysis Reporting System, about 18 percent of non-interchange, non-junction fatal crashes involved two vehicles colliding head-on. That percentage was the same for 1997 and 1998 as well. These data also reveal that:

• 75 percent of head-on crashes occur on rural roads
• 75 percent of head-on collisions occur on undivided two-lane roads and
• 83 percent of two-lane undivided road crashes occur on rural roads.

Continue reading " Truck Collision in Boron Kills Whittier Man " »

Fernando V. Lara, 50, of Santa Fe Springs, died October 10, 2008 after he was run over by a 1993 Freightliner big rig. According to an article in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Lara was inspecting underneath the truck when the big rig moved forward for some unknown reason. The big rig truck accident occurred on Pioneer Boulevard just north of Slauson Avenue in an unincorporated area, California Highway Patrol officials said.

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, who saw the truck moving forward with Lara wedged underneath the rear dual tires, removed the keys from the ignition and called CHP. Lara was pronounced dead at the scene on 10/10/08.

My heart goes out to the family of Fernando Lara, who apparently seems to have been at work doing his job when this horrific truck accident occurred. Please keep Lara’s family in your prayers.

Continue reading " Santa Fe Springs Big Rig Accident Kills Man " »

Alice Olson, 54, of La Crescenta, was injured in an auto accident on October 11, 2008 after a cement mixer making a turn onto Briggs Avenue toppled over Olson’s Mercedes, trapping her inside. California Highway Patrol officials said the driver of the cement mixer was driving at “an excessive rate of speed” on Foothill Boulevard just before attempting to turn. Our source for this blog was a La Canada Valley Sun news report.

Los Angeles County firefighters had to extricate Olson from the vehicle that was completely crushed under the weight of the cement mixer. The airbags had deployed, but Olson was still able to use the phone and also talk to firefighters as they tried to get her out. Olson was transported to an area hospital with moderate injuries.

I’m relieved that Alice Olson did not suffer major injuries in this 10/11/2008 Los Angeles County auto crash. This could have easily been an accident with tragic consequences. I wish Olson the very best for a speedy recovery.

From the CHP officials’ initial assessment, it seems that the driver of the cement truck was at fault for the accident. If the cement truck driver is determined to have been driving dangerously at the time of the accident, then he and his employer could be held responsible for the accident and resulting injuries and damages.

Continue reading " La Crescenta Woman Injured In Cement Truck Accident " »

A suspected drunk driver struck and killed 51-year-old motorcyclist Robert “Big Bob” Ybarra on October 13, 2008 during the American Heat Motorcycle Weekend in Palm Springs, according to an article in The Desert Sun.

Ybarra’s fiancé, 34-year-old Nadine Petak was injured in the crash. The fatal motorcycle accident occurred when 76-year-old Max Moorehouse pulled out his Toyota 4Runner in front of Ybarra’s Harley-Davidson at Camino Real and East Palm Canyon Drive. Ybarra died two days after the 10/13/2008 accident.

I offer my condolences to the family and friends of Robert Ybarra. My heart especially goes out to his fiancé, Nadine Petak, who witnessed the entire incident. By all accounts, Ybarra seems to have been a beloved friend and family member. This is a huge tragedy for those who have known and loved him.

Moorehouse, the suspected drunk driver, will most likely be charged with vehicular manslaughter. According to the California Vehicle Code Section 191.5 (a): “Vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle…and the killing was either a proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence.”

Continue reading " Palm Springs Motorcycle Accident Kills East Los Angeles Man " »

A San Bernardino County all terrain vehicle crash near Barstow on October 11, 2008 has killed David Mohler of Santa Ana, The Orange County Register reports. Mohler, 38, died after his ATV collided with another vehicle in an area north of the Interstate 15 and close to Outlet Center Drive. Mohler was flown to an area hospital where he died hours after the accident. California Highway Patrol officials are currently investigating this 10/11/2008 accident.

My heart goes out to the family of David Mohler, who are probably grappling with a lot of questions. The details provided in this news report are sketchy. What kind of ATV was Mohler riding? Did he lose control because of a mechanical malfunction? What vehicle did he crash into? Was the other driver at fault? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway that was a factor in this crash? Mohler’s family deserves answers. They have suffered a tragic, irreparable loss.

Continue reading " Barstow ATV Crash Kills Orange County Man " »

Darrell Feuerhahn, 52, and his wife, Debbie, 54, were killed in a Riverside County motorcycle accident on October 10, 2008 when their Harley-Davidson collided head-on with a pickup truck near Granite Pass. According to an article in the Desert Sun, Feuerhahn, a recently retired Redlands fire captain and his wife were riding east on the Aqueduct Road when the head-on auto 10/10/08 collision occurred.

California Highway Patrol officials say the Harley drifted across the solid double yellow lines into the westbound lanes of State Route 62. Officials say the pickup truck driver had no time to avoid hitting the motorcycle. Both Darrell and Debbie Feuerhahn died on impact.

This must be a terrible shock for the family, friends and former colleagues of Feuerhahn at the Redlands Fire Department. I offer my deepest condolences to all who are reeling from this tragic loss.

According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System (SWITRS), in 2006, there were 29 motorcycle accident fatalities in Riverside County and 487 motorcycle accident related injuries. Motorcycle accident fatalities are on the rise in the United States with more people owning motorcycles than ever before. Ownership of motorcycles has gone up remarkably in the 50 and above age group over the last two decades. According to statistics from the Motorcycle Industry Council (2004), motorcycle ownership in the 50 and above age group has gone up from 10 percent in 1990 to a little more than 25 percent in 2003.

Initial CHP reports of this Riverside motorcycle accident imply that this crash was Feuerhahn’s fault – that he crossed over the solid double yellow line and caused the head-on collision. But if I were a family member, I would definitely opt for an independent investigation of the accident by an experienced California motorcycle accident lawyer to determine exactly what happened and how it happened. Initial accident reports can turn out false or erroneous. Feuerhahn’s family would also be well-advised to preserve the Harley in its crashed condition so an accident expert can examine the motorcycle for mechanical malfunctions, product defects or other evidence.

Teresa McClelland, 50, of Chula Vista died in an October 8, 2008 pedestrian accident after she was struck by a vehicle while walking to church. According to an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, McClelland was crossing Palomar Street when the collision occurred. Chula Vista police officials say McClelland was not in a crosswalk at the time of the accident. The driver of the car that stuck McClelland was not injured and was not cited or arrested.

This was a tragic accident and I offer my condolences to the family of Teresa McClelland for their loss.

In 2006 there were five pedestrian accidents that involved fatalities in Chula Vista, according to California Highway Patrol data.

Officials say McClelland was not in a crosswalk at the time of the accident. But that does not mean the driver was not responsible for this fatal pedestrian accident. There are several other factors possible. Was the driver speeding right before he struck McClelland? Did he have a clear line of sight of McClelland crossing the street in front of him?

All these are complex questions. A skilled Southern California auto accident attorney will definitely help answer them. The family of Teresa McClelland would be well advised to retain the services of an experienced pedestrian accident attorney from a personal injury law firm. The attorney should also look into other factors such as a dangerous condition on that Chula Vista roadway, which may have contributed to this fatal pedestrian accident. If that is the case, then the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable. Any claim against a governmental agency in the State of California must be filed within six months of the accident.

If the motorist who hit McClelland was uninsured or if his auto insurance policy is inadequate to compensate McClelland’s heirs, they may still be able to collect from the “uninsured” or “underinsured” insurance coverage on McClelland’s own auto insurance policy or any other policy that she may have benefits under.

David Houser, 43, and Yvette Houser, 39, of Simi Valley and two other passengers suffered injuries in an October 2, 2008 hit-and-run auto accident after a suspected drunk driver crashed into their car head-on on Highway 118. According to an article in the Ventura County Star, 45-year-old Brandon Nizdil of Camarillo was arrested a few hours after he fled the scene of the crash. Nizdil was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and felony driving under the influence of alcohol charges.

The 10/2/08 accident occurred as Nizdil was traveling south on Price Road toward Highway 118 West when he made a wide right turn onto the Highway 118 East, colliding with the Houser’s car. Yvette Houser, 39, suffered major internal injuries and is now listed in stable condition. David Houser, 43, was taken to an area hospital with complaints of pain. Two girl passengers were also taken to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries.

I’m relieved that no one was killed in this head-on collision and wish David and Yvette Houser a speedy recovery.

Continue reading " Simi Valley DUI Collision on Highway 118 Injures Four " »

Henrietta Boyd, Dennis Samuels and Carlana Griffen, suffered injuries that required hospitalization, in an October 6, 2008 Riverside traffic accident. Their car reportedly crashed into a Riverside Fire Department engine at a city intersection, according to a news report in the Riverside Press-Enterprise. Engine 1 was responding to a call when it collided with the car at the intersection of Main Street and Third Street.

The fire engine was reportedly traveling west on Third with its emergency lights and sirens on. Riverside police officials, who are investigating the 10/6/08 accident, are faulting Henrietta Boyd for the accident stating that Boyd violated a red turn arrow when she entered the intersection. Fire Engineer Robert Pina was also hurt in the crash and treated for minor injuries.

I’m relieved that no one suffered catastrophic injuries in this street intersection crash. I wish the injured victims the best for a speedy recovery.

Continue reading " Riverside Car Versus Fire Engine Collision Injures Four " »

Shawn Lynn McFate, 55, of Escondido died in an auto accident on Oct. 3 after her Volkswagen Beetle was struck by an oncoming sport utility vehicle at an Escondido intersection. According to an article in the North County Times, McFate was driving south on Vista Verde Way when a Chevrolet Avalanche traveling west on El Norte Parkway broadsided her.

McFate suffered fatal injuries including blunt impact injuries of the torso and a damaged aorta. The driver of the Chevrolet suffered relatively minor injuries and did not have to be hospitalized.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Shawn Lynn McFate for their irreparable loss.

Continue reading " Escondido Auto Accident Kills Woman " »

Manzeal Walker, a 2-year-old Palmdale boy, was killed in a Lancaster traffic accident, according to an October 6, 2008 CBS News report. The crash occurred when a 21-year-old woman, driving southbound on 20th Street West in a 2004 Hyundai, ran a red light at Avenue N. Her car struck a Dodge vehicle of which Walker was a passenger.

California Highway Patrol officials said the Dodge then spun into the path of a 2007 Toyota. The impact from that collision caused Manzeal to be ejected from the Dodge. Manzeal was pronounced dead at an area hospital. A 27-year-old female passenger in the Dodge and a 2-year-old child in the Hyundai were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Officials say Manzeal may not have been properly restrained.

My heart goes out to the family of little Manzeal. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading " Lancaster Auto Accident Kills Toddler " »

Lee Neang, 69, of Buena Park, died in a Cypress three-car traffic collision on October 3, 2008, near Walker Street. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, Amika Sergejev, 30, who reportedly caused the accident, is expected to be charged with vehicular manslaughter. The fatal accident occurred 10/3/2008 when Sergejev, who was driving a truck on Lincoln Avenue, crashed into Neang’s car and caused Neang to hit a third vehicle, injuring its occupant.

Our hearts go out to the family of Lee Neang for their tragic loss. I offer my deepest condolences to them.

According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, in 2006, there were three fatal traffic collisions and 155 auto accidents causing injuries in Cypress. In Orange County, there were a total of 199 fatal collisions in 2006 and 14,981 traffic accident related deaths.

Continue reading " Cypress Multiple Car Collision Kills Orange County Man " »

Cory Peck, 48, an Antelope area resident, died in an October 2, 2008 bicycle accident after he was struck by a motorist on Blue Oaks Boulevard in Roseville. According to an article in the Sacramento Bee, Peck was riding east on Blue Oaks Boulevard near Del Webb Boulevard and Crocker Ranch Road when an eastbound driver of a Chevrolet pickup, struck Peck. He died at the scene.

Traffic investigators say Peck was wearing a helmet and that his bike had good lighting equipment. The road also has a well-marked bike lane, officials said. According to family members, Peck was on his way to work at the time of the early morning 10/2/08 auto versus bicycle collision. He had apparently been riding to work every day for several years.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Corey Peck for their tragic loss.

Continue reading " Sacramento County Bicycle Accident Kills Man " »

A 41-year-old Modesto man died in a motorcycle versus big rig accident on Highway 99 on Oct. 2. The motorcyclist was trying to avoid the tractor-trailer when the accident occurred, the Modesto Bee reports. The identity of the motorcyclist has not been released yet. California Highway Patrol officials said the crash occurred when the tractor trailer changed lanes cutting off the Harley-Davidson Road Glide near Tuolumne Boulevard.

Melanie Carter, 20, the passenger on the Harley, reportedly suffered road rash injuries. The tractor-trailer driver, Jerry Ritch of Louisburg, N.C., was working for R & J Trucking of Kinston, N.C. at the time of the accident. Ritch, who was driving in the center lane of the highway, pulled into the path of the motorcycle by switching to the left lane. The big rig driver changed lanes because traffic had slowed in the right and center lanes as drivers merged from the Tuolumne Boulevard onramp.

The Harley-Davidson, which was traveling at about 65 mph, swerved to the left to avoid striking the big rig, hit the guardrail and got trapped between the guardrail and the big rig before being pulled underneath the rig’s trailer. The Harley was pinned underneath the trailer’s front axle. Both the man and Carter, who were both wearing helmets, were thrown off of the motorcycle on impact. The man suffered fatal injuries when the big rig ran him over.

Continue reading " Modesto Motorcycle Versus Big Rig Accident Kills One " »

Jakob Scott Weathermon, 20, of Lakewood, was killed in a bicycle versus big rig accident on Sept. 30 after the tractor-trailer struck him at a Rancho Dominguez intersection near Carson, the Daily Breeze reports. Weathermon, who worked in Huntington Beach, was riding a bicycle with a 17-year-old unidentified girl when they were hit by the truck at the intersection of Del Amo Boulevard and Susana Road.

Weathermon and the girl were heading east on the sidewalk and entered the intersection to cross Susana when the tractor trailer, going south, made a right turn, California Highway Patrol officials said. The truck hit the girl first; who got thrown out of the way and then struck Weathermon, running him over. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

My sincere condolences to the family of Jakob Scott Weathermon for their tragic loss.

Continue reading " Rancho Dominguez Big Rig Accident Kills Bicyclist " »

Michael Richey, 46, of Modesto was killed in a Stanislaus County bicycle versus SUV accident on Sept. 30, the Modesto Bee reports. The SUV’s driver, Craig Kyle Nelson, 26, was reportedly arrested on suspicion of murder, driving under the influence, being under the influence of a controlled substance and driving with a suspended license. Even initial investigations by police officers yielded enough evidence of drug use, which led to the murder charge.

California Highway Patrol officials said the fatal bicycle accident occurred when Richey was riding his bike east on Milnes Road on the road’s dirt shoulder. Modesto resident Nelson was spotted by witnesses driving erratically in his white 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee east on Milnes. CHP officials said Nelson drove the SUV on to the road’s shoulder where he hit Richey’s bicycle from behind. The impact from the crash threw Richey 50 feet from his bike.

Continue reading " Modesto Bicyclist Killed In DUI Accident " »

Mitch Monroe, 22, of Linda, California, was seriously injured in a Roseville motorcycle accident on Sept. 27, according to an article in The Appeal-Democrat. The car versus motorcycle collision occurred at the intersection of Oswald and Carson roads when Sutter County Sheriff’s Deputy John Miller’s patrol cruiser crashed into Monroe’s dark blue Suzuki.

California Highway Patrol officials say 59-year-old Miller headed north on Carson through the intersection after he had looked for traffic and “didn’t see any.” He drove his cruiser into the path of Monroe’s motorcycle, which was headed west on Oswald. Monroe was wearing a helmet, CHP officials said. Monroe reportedly suffered a broken leg and other injuries. A neighbor who apparently saw the crash happen told the paper that Miller was stopped at the stop sign before the collision. Monroe was traveling on Oswald, which does not have a stop sign at Carson for east-west traffic.

Continue reading " Sutter County Sheriff’s Deputy Hits Motorcyclist " »

Douglas Sanchez-Mejia, 30, of Anaheim was killed in a Sept. 27 car versus pedestrian accident. According to an article in The Orange County Register, Sanchez-Mejia was walking north on Gilbert Street before turning east to cross Gilbert just south of Pacific Place. The news report says Sanchez-Mejia stepping into the path of a Ford Escort headed north on Gilbert Street in the No. 2 lane. The driver of the Escort was identified as a 48-year-old Anaheim man who the California Highway Patrol says did not have sufficient time to stop before hitting Sanchez-Mejia.

My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Douglas Sanchez-Mejia.

This account of the pedestrian accident makes no sense to me. Gilbert Street is two lanes in each direction, north and south. If the news report is accurate, then Sanchez-Mejia crossed about 45 feet of street before getting hit by the Ford Escort. The street is straight and there are not obstructions to block the Escort driver’s view of Sanchez-Mejia crossing the street. It would take Sanchez-Mejia about 11 seconds walking briskly to cross 45 feet. If the Escort is traveling at 35 miles per hour, the Escort was some 575 feet away from Sanchez-Mejia when he began to cross the street.

Continue reading " Anaheim Pedestrian Accident Kills Man " »

A Riverside County jury has found Caltrans at fault for not properly maintaining a desert highway in connection with an auto accident, which disabled Palos Verdes resident, 79-year-old Cletus Schmidt. The jury ordered Caltrans to pay more than $10 million to Schmidt who was severely injured in an accident at the Highway 62/Highway 177 T intersection, east of the Joshua Tree National Park. Our source for this blog was this Sept. 29 article in the Riverside Press-Enterprise ().

The lawsuit stated that Schmidt, who was eastbound on Highway 62 on Jan. 16, 2006, did not see a stop sign and hit an embankment. According to court documents, there had been eight traffic accidents at that same intersection in the 21 months before Schmidt’s accident. However, Caltrans failed to put up proper signs at that location to indicate that the road ended. The California auto accident has rendered Schmidt bedridden. He also requires the use a ventilator.

Continue reading " Riverside County Auto Accident Victim Wins Caltrans Case " »

Jose Francisco Silva, 48, was killed in a Los Angeles pedestrian accident near Dodger Stadium after he was run over by a vehicle that police say ran a red light. The Los Angeles Times reports in a Sept. 29 article that Silva, a resident of Pico Rivera, was crossing Broadway in a marked crosswalk at Bishops Road when he was hit by a vehicle traveling south on Broadway.

The driver did not stop and sped away from the scene, but witnesses describe the hit-and-run vehicle as a white or tan Chevrolet Suburban or Jeep Cherokee. The front of the vehicle reportedly sustained some damage and the windshield may have cracked, LAPD officials say. People who saw Silva get hit by the vehicle said the pedestrian actually was struck two times. The impact from the collision threw Silva to the hood of the car. The vehicle then ran Silva over when he fell onto the pavement.

A second Los Angeles hit-and-run suspect wasn’t as lucky. Police in Van Nuys arrested 18-year-old Joel Morales on suspicion of striking and killing a 59-year-old Van Nuys man. The victim was reportedly crossing Hazeltine Avenue south of Califa Street when he was struck. The man was pronounced dead in an area hospital and Morales was arrested a few hours after the accident.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Pedestrian Accidents Kill Two " »

Dan Tran, 19, of Lancaster, died in an auto accident on Sept. 23 when his bicycle collided with a Honda Civic, the Los Angeles Daily News reported. Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department officials said a 38-year-old Lancaster man was driving southbound on 30th Street West in a 1989 Civic. The accident happened near Avenue L-6 when the Honda hit Tran, who was also heading south on 30th Street on his bicycle.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Dan Tran for their tragic loss.

Continue reading " Lancaster Car Versus Bicycle Accident Kills Bicyclist " »