Traffic Accident News

A 63-year-old woman was killed in a San Diego County auto accident in the Cleveland National Forest, according to this news report. The accident occurred near Buckman Springs Road the afternoon of February 25, 2009 when a 2007 Pontiac sedan eastbound on the Interstate 8 swerved out of the far left-hand lane and struck a Honda Civic.

California Highway Patrol officials said the impact of the crash sent the Honda Civic veering off the south side of the roadway and down an embankment. The driver was apparently wearing her seat belt, but was still ejected from the car as it tumbled down the slope. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The deceased victim has not yet been identified. A passenger in the Honda also suffered serious injuries and was taken to the hospital. The driver of the Pontiac, who apparently triggered this fatal auto accident, was uninjured. Officials say they received reports from eyewitnesses that the driver of the Pontiac was driving recklessly just before this accident occurred.

Continue reading " Auto Accident in Cleveland National Forest Kills San Diego Woman " »

Ian Lopez, 18, was killed in a Huntington Beach motorcycle accident after his cycle collided with a pickup truck that pulled in front of him, The Orange County Register reports in this article. Lopez was apparently riding his motorcycle south on Goldenwest the evening of February 26, 2009 when a silver Toyota 4Runner pulled out from Tucana Drive, Huntington Beach police officials said. Lopez was unable to avoid the collision and crashed into the pickup. Ian Lopez was wearing a helmet, but he suffered critical injuries. He was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police have not yet cited or arrested the driver of the 4Runner.

My heart goes out to the family of young Ian Lopez for their tragic loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Lopez. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2006 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System (SWITRS), there was one motorcycle accident fatality and 60 injuries involving motorcycle crashes in Huntington Beach. During the same year, in Orange County as a whole, 26 deaths and 730 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents.

In this case, if the newspaper article is accurate, the driver of the Toyota 4Runner turned from a smaller street into a major roadway without looking to see whether there were any approaching vehicles. Unfortunately, these types of collisions often occur with motorcycles because when drivers of cars or other passenger vehicles are waiting to enter a roadway, they look for bigger vehicles. But often, they don’t look for motorcycles, bicycles or pedestrians. That can have tragic consequences as in this Huntington Beach motorcycle accident.

Continue reading " Fatal Orange County Motorcycle Accident " »

In the three decades that I’ve had the privilege of representing California personal injury clients, I’ve met and have gotten to know many inspiring people. I’m proud to know these individuals. Yulee Schafer is one of them. This June, Yulee will walk for two days and 39 miles as she participates in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago. My office will be offering our wholehearted support for this noble cause because Yulee inspires us to not only give, but also get up and do something about the problems that we confront in our lives each day.

This year, we will be sponsoring Yulee and will be helping her reach her goal – to get as much contributions possible. What does the Avon Walk accomplish? Money raised from the Avon Walk will help pay for medically underinsured men and women to receive the screening, support and treatment they require. Part of the proceeds will also go to leading-edge research teams that are working hard to find a cure.

The staff here at Bisnar Chase will be given the opportunity to donate with the firm and we hope it helps Yulee and brings research groups closer to finding a cure for breast cancer. Yulee said she is in this because she wants breast cancer eradicated.

“I have several family members and friends who have been diagnosed with breast cancer,” she says. “I also have two young daughters and I don’t want them to ever face it. I just want breast cancer to be a chapter in our medical history like the plague.”

Continue reading " Yulee Schafer Walks With a Hope to Eradicate Breast Cancer " »

Laura Lynn Newsome, 27, of Los Angeles was killed in an auto accident in Willits the night of February 21, 2009, the Willits News reports in this article. The fatal accident in Mendocino County occurred when Newsome was driving a 2002 Toyota 4Runner north on Highway 101. California Highway Patrol officials say the Toyota 4Runner crossed over the double yellow line to the southbound lane and directly into the path of the 2001 Dodge pickup truck driven by Johnathan Kirk Graux, 65. It was apparently raining at the time of this fatal Willits auto accident crash.

Newsome’s Toyota then careened down an embankment. All concerned were wearing seatbelts, CHP officials said. Graux unsuccessfully tried to steer to the right to avoid a head-on collision. Graux as well as his passenger, 44-year-old Melinda Carol Graux, were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

It’s a miracle that Johnathan and Melinda Graux did not suffer serious injuries in this crash. Of course, being a direct collision between two vehicles this incident could have been a lot worse. My heart goes out to the family of Laura Lynn Newsome, who was tragically killed in this horrific crash. I offer my deepest condolences to Newsome’s family and friends. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Woman Killed in Willits Head-On Collision " »

A 12-year-old boy who died after losing control of an all-terrain vehicle and crashing into a wall in National City has been identified as Julio Lizarraga of San Diego. According to this news report, Julio was riding an ATV the afternoon of February 21, 2009 when he lost control and crashed into a wall. No other details such as the make or brand of the ATV were available. Julio apparently lived with his mother in the Encanto area, but it is not clear whether he was supervised or with friends at the time of the ATV accident. According to the San Bernardino County Medical Examiner’s office, Julio died at an area hospital from multiple blunt force injuries.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of young Julio Lizarraga for their tragic loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this boy. Please keep them in your prayers.

There are several unanswered questions here? What type of all-terrain vehicle was Julio riding? It appears that he was the driver, but was he wearing safety gear, specifically a helmet? How did he lose control of the ATV? Was there an adult supervising him? Was he left in the care of an adult? The answers to these questions will help determine what caused this tragic San Bernardino ATV accident.

Continue reading " San Diego County ATV Crash Kills 12-year-old Boy " »

Authorities are still trying to identify a man who was killed in a San Diego County auto accident in the Pauma Valley on Route 76 the afternoon of February 17, 2009, according to this ABC News reports in this article. The crash occurred when 55-year-old Edward Cory of Fallbrook lost control of the 2003 Dodge Ram truck he was driving. The westbound pickup struck a telephone pole near Rincon Creek Road before it reentered the street and veered into an eastbound lane where it collided head-on with an oncoming 2005 GMC van.

California Highway Patrol officials say Cory was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown through the windshield. He suffered severe injuries. The driver of the van, whom officials have had trouble identifying, was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The GMC van’s driver was apparently not the registered owner of that vehicle.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased victim, who apparently died tragically because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading " San Diego Auto Accident Kills Driver " »

Larry W. Steward, 49, an off-duty San Diego police detective was killed in a motorcycle accident after he was struck head-on by a sport utility vehicle. According to this news report, the motorcycle crash occurred the morning of February 20, 2009 when Steward was riding east on State Route 94 in the Engineer Springs area. An oncoming Dodge Durango swerved into his path near Marron Valley Road, California Highway Patrol officials said.

Steward, a resident of San Diego, was pronounced dead shortly after the crash. The driver of the SUV, 77-year-old Jose De Jesus Garcia-Gomez of Tecate, Mexico was booked into county jail on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter.

My heart goes out to the family, friends and co-workers of Larry Steward for their heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, in 2006, there were 37 San Diego motorcycle accident fatalities and 1,054 injuries relating to motorcycle crashes in San Diego County. Nationwide, the number of motorcycle accidents has been steadily increasing over the last five years especially in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.

Continue reading " San Diego County Motorcycle Accident Kills Off-Duty Police Officer " »

Patrick Reed, 29, of Twentynine Palms was killed in a motorcycle accident on Highway 62 after a speeding vehicle turned in front and struck him. According to this news Web site, Reed was riding east on Highway 62 at Indian Cove Road the evening of February 18, 2009 when the vehicle struck him. Reed was thrown from his motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene. The vehicle that struck him was apparently traveling at about 65 mph.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Patrick Reed who was apparently an Iraq War veteran. The comments about Reed on this news Web site show how much he was loved and respected. As one of his friends put it, Reed survived Iraq, but couldn’t survive Southern California. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Patrick Reed.

According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, in 2006, there were no fatalities in Twentynine Palms and only one injury relating to motorcycle accident. In San Bernardino County as a whole, however, 39 deaths and 507 injuries were reported as a result of San Bernardino motorcycle accidents.

Continue reading " Man Killed in Twentynine Palms Motorcycle Crash " »

Benazir Siddiqui, 38, died in a head-on collision on an East San Diego County Freeway the morning of February 19, 2009, NBC San Diego reports in this article. The three-vehicle accident occurred on State Route 125 near Jamacha Road in Spring Valley when Siddiqui, who was driving a Toyota Corolla northbound on the highway, crossed over the center divider. The Corolla rolled over, struck two other vehicles and burst into flames.

Several Good Samaritans stopped and tried to help get Siddiqui out of the burning car, but were unsuccessful. Siddiqui was pronounced dead at the scene. The 28-year-old driver of a Dodge Charger was taken to an area hospital with moderate injuries. The driver of a Cadillac suffered minor injuries. Thankfully, a 13-month-old child in the Cadillac was uninjured. California Highway Patrol officials are looking into how and why this Southern California auto accident occurred.

My heart goes out to the family of Benazir Siddiqui for their tragic loss. Siddiqui apparently worked two jobs. What a blow for her family! I offer my deepest sympathies to them. Please keep Siddiqui’s family members and friends in your prayers. I also commend all the Good Samaritans who tried to save this woman in spite of the danger to their own well-being. I’m relieved that the occupants of the other vehicles that were involved in this crash did not suffer major injuries. I wish everyone the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Continue reading " Woman Killed in Fiery San Diego County Collision " »

Bradley Waterman, 21, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps was killed in a San Diego motorcycle accident on February 14, 2009, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports in this article. Waterman was riding his Honda motorcycle east on Route 76 near Bonsall when he lost control in a curve. Waterman then crossed into opposing traffic and was struck by a Chevy Avalanche, California Highway Patrol officials said. The truck’s driver apparently tried to revive the Marine, but he died on the roadway.

My heart goes out to Waterman’s family members, friends and fellow Marines for their tragic and untimely loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everybody who knew and loved Bradley Waterman. He was too young. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System (SWITRS), in 2006, there were 39 motorcycle accident deaths and 1,038 injuries relating to motorcycle accidents in San Diego County. According to recent statistics released by the U.S. Marine Corps, the number of U.S. Marines killed in motorcycle accidents is also rapidly increasing. Last year, more than 20 Marines died in motorcycle accidents. The Marine Corps has been apparently trying to offer training programs to promote safety, but the numbers continue to rise.

Continue reading " Marine Killed in San Diego County Motorcycle Accident " »

Solomon Michael Henderson, 32, of La Mesa and 32-year-old Jorge Flores of El Cajon were killed in a San Diego auto accident which officials say was caused by a third vehicle that ran one of the drivers off the road. According to this news report, Henderson was driving a Ryder cargo truck west on the Interstate 8 in La Mesa on February 12, 2009 when another vehicle reportedly cut him off.

Henderson then lost control of the box truck, jumped the median and crashed into an eastbound Chevy Silverado truck. Henderson was ejected from the truck and died at the scene. The driver of the Silverado, Jorge Flores, was also killed.

My heart goes out to both these victims who were apparently killed because of someone else’s recklessness and negligence. I offer my deepest condolences to the families of Solomon Michael Henderson as well as Jorge Flores. Please keep them in your prayer

Continue reading " San Diego County Auto Accident Kills Two " »

A San Diego woman who died in an auto accident in Los Angeles County on February 14, 2009 has been identified as Mira Tijerin. According to this article in The Signal, Tijerin lost control of her Nissan pickup truck that rolled 300 feet down an embankment off northbound Interstate 5 near Santa Clarita. Traffic investigators are still trying to figure out why the Nissan pickup careened across freeway lanes, broke through the metal guard rail and crashed down the embankment. Tijerin was ejected from the truck.

California Highway Patrol officials said Tijerin and two of the truck’s three passengers were not wearing seatbelts. Tijerin was pronounced dead while all three passengers were transported to a local hospital for injuries such as fractured spine as well as back and shoulder injuries.

My heart goes out to the family of Mira Tijerin, who was killed in this Southern California auto accident as well as the three others who suffered serious injuries. I offer my deepest sympathies to Tijerin’s family and friends. I wish the injured victims the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

According to 2006 statistics from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System (SWITRS), there were 748 deaths and 57,069 injuries reported as a result of auto accidents in Los Angeles County.

Continue reading " Woman Killed in Los Angeles County Auto Accident " »

Gladis A. Andrade-Zepeda, 33, of Fontana died in an Orange County auto accident triggered after she dropped her cell phone and crashed her car while she was looking for it. Andrade-Zepeda was driving her Chevrolet Impala on the 405 Freeway in Fountain Valley just north of Bushard Street the morning of February 14, 2009 when she dropped her cell phone and started looking for her. The Impala swerved across lanes and hit the center divider. Our source for this blog is this news report in The Orange County Register.

Soon after the initial crash, Andrade-Zepeda and another passenger got out of the car. Andrade-Zepeda was trying to get another male passenger out of the car when a Chevy Malibu came into the carpool lane and broadsided the Impala. California Highway Patrol officials say that the Malibu was doing regular highway speed and couldn’t stop in time to avoid the crash. Andrade-Zepeda was pronounced dead at the scene.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Gladis Andrade-Zepeda for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your prayers. I wish the injured Orange County auto accident victim the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

Continue reading " Woman Killed in Orange County Freeway Accident " »

A 22-year-old Costa Mesa woman was killed and 23-year-old Holly Lee of Ontario suffered major injuries in a three-car freeway accident in Diamond Bar on February 13, 2009, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports in this article. The fatal auto accident occurred during the early morning hours just east of Grand Avenue. The chain of events began when the Costa Mesa woman’s 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe struck the center divider and rolled over ending up on its side. Shortly afterward, A 2007 Toyota Yaris driven by Holly Lee struck the Santa Fe.

The Costa Mesa woman apparently survived the impact from both the crashes and was still able to get out of her vehicle and walk up to the traffic lanes. But at this point, she was struck by a third vehicle a Jeep Liberty, which delivered the fatal blow. The injured pedestrian, who has not been identified, was taken to an area hospital where she died. Holly Lee was hospitalized with major injuries and the driver and passenger of the Jeep suffered minor injuries. California Highway Patrol officials have not made arrests or issued citations pending an accident investigation.

My heart goes out to all who were involved in this serious Orange County auto accident. I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the Costa Mesa woman who was killed so tragically. I wish Holly Lee as well as the occupants of the Jeep the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

Continue reading " Multi-Vehicle Collision Kills Orange County Woman " »

A 29-year-old San Diego man was killed in an Orange County rollover accident on February 12, 2009 after his car left the roadway and crashed. According to this news report in The Orange County Register, the driver, who has still not been identified, was driving a 2002 Ford vehicle on the northbound Interstate 5.

The vehicle veered off, went down an embankment and ended up upside down in the northbound side of the I-5. This San Clemente Ford rollover crash occurred on El Camino Real near Avenida Mendocino. Orange County Sheriff’s officials are saying that speed may have played a role in this crash, but aren’t sure what caused the accident.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this fatal auto accident victim. Please keep them in your prayers for their tragic loss.

I would be interested to find out what type of Ford vehicle he was driving and also exactly how this rollover crash occurred. The crash could well be the result of the vehicle hitting a curb and then flipping over, which the report mentions as a possible factor. I trust the law enforcement agency that is investigating this accident will come up with the details soon. But right now there are more questions than answers. How fast was the vehicle traveling? Why did the driver lose control of the vehicle? Was there some type of mechanical malfunction or steering problems?

Continue reading " Orange County Rollover Accident Kills Man " »

A popular Cal State Bakersfield athlete who was killed the night of February 8, 2009 in a DUI traffic collision has been identified as 18-year-old Noemi Perez. According to a news report in the Bakersfield Californian, Francisco Nestor Santo was driving east on Highway 223 near Vineland Road when he entered the westbound lane and hit a vehicle driven by Francisco Becerra. The 22-year-old Santo then continued driving eastbound in the westbound lane and collided with a 2000 Hyundai driven by Perez. Becerra was not injured, but Perez was pronounced dead.

Santo suffered moderate injuries in the crash, but was arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving, gross vehicular manslaughter, driving without a license and failure to provide proof of insurance.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Noemi Perez. Apparently, she was an extremely promising athlete who was in her university’s track team and had big plans for the future. How heartbreaking for her family that must have had such high hopes for this young woman. They will certainly be in my prayers.

Continue reading " Student Killed in Bakersfield DUI Auto Accident " »

A Corona woman and a Good Samaritan, who was killed February 8, 2009 in a freeway accident after pulling over to help a motorist involved in another crash, has been identified as 39-year-old Roxana Martinez. According to this news report in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Martinez, her husband and two children saw a driver veer off the 71 Freeway and roll over. When Martinez and her family stopped in the emergency lane to help the driver of the overturned vehicle, a 1995 Ford Explorer veered into the emergency lane where the family was standing and struck Martinez. She was taken to an area hospital where she died.

What a tragedy for the Martinez family! Here was a woman and a family that out of the goodness of their hearts stopped to help a motorist who was stranded in an overturned vehicle. It is indeed unfortunate that Martinez became the victim of another driver’s apparent negligence. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Roxana Martinez. Her two children actually saw their mother get struck and killed on the freeway. This family will be in my prayers.

Continue reading " Corona Freeway Accident Kills Woman Who Stopped To Help Accident Victim " »

Kathy Murray of Newport Beach suffered injuries after her Lexus sport utility vehicle was broadsided by a Nissan Altima whose driver ran a red light at an intersection, the Daily Pilot reports in this article. The January 30, 2009 accident occurred as Stephanie Dressler who was westbound on Bristol Street ran a red light at the intersection of Birch Street. Murray had the green light.

Dressler’s Nissan broadsided Murray’s Lexus SUV sending it tumbling through the intersection until it lay overturned near a crosswalk. Both Murray and Dressler were injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment. Newport Beach police cited Dressler for running a red light.

This accident could have been a lot worse. Thankfully it wasn’t and both women did not suffer major injuries. I wish them both the very best for a quick recovery. However, this accident seems to be Dressler’s fault. Running a red light is a violation of California law. California Vehicle Code Section 21453 (a) states: “A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown.”

Continue reading " Newport Beach Car versus SUV Collision Injures Two " »

Eight Orange County chiropractors, three office administrators and an attorney have been charged by the district attorney’s office after an undercover operation caught them in various schemes used to defraud insurance companies. Apparently this team did it through illegal patient referrals, kickbacks and overbilling for procedures that were never done. Our source for this blog was this news report in the Los Angeles Times.

What the county prosecutor’s office did was set up a fake law office and pose as law office administrators seeking referrals and patients claiming to be suffering from auto accident injuries. Of course, it is illegal for doctors, attorneys and chiropractors to file claims to exchange money for patient referrals. Over the last year or so, investigators sent 250 letters to medical professionals already suspected of fraud. These letters proposed an illegal fee-splitting scheme in which providers would pay up to 30 percent of a patient’s billing in exchange for the referral.

For example, here is how the attorney who has been charged did it. He is accused of coaching an undercover investigator posing as a patient to lie to an insurance company to exaggerate the extent of his injuries and the number of medical visits. The attorney later split the insurance payment between himself, a chiropractor and the investigator posing as a patient.

Continue reading " Chiropractors and Attorneys Accused of Illegal Kickbacks " »

James Madonia, 59, died in a Huntington Beach motorcycle accident on February 2, 2009, The Orange County Register reports in this article. Madonia was caught in a traffic collision involving at least two other vehicles on the 22 Freeway, California Highway Patrol officials said. Madonia was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of James Madonia for their tragic loss. According to several comments posted on the Register’s Web site in response to this news article, Madonia worked at the Honda Center in Anaheim where he was very much loved and respected by his co-workers. He was also apparently a long-time, and experienced motorcycle rider who always followed safety procedures. Please keep Madonia’s family in your prayers during their time of grief.

The newspaper report does not provide any information about how this accident occurred or who caused it. However, some who have commented on the Register’s Web site, say they witnessed the accident as it happened or immediately after it happened. One commenter says he saw the crash occur. He says the driver of a white F-150 truck cut into the fast lane causing a chain reaction crash that involved Madonia as well. The commenter also says he saw Madonia lay the bike down, but was thrown into the fast lane where “he was backed over by the sliding car.” Horrific!

Continue reading " Orange County Motorcycle Accident Kills Man " »

Two members of a Southern California family who were killed in a head-on collision in Fresno have been identified as 23-year-old Vilai Her and 7-month-old Isaac Her of Camarillo. According to this news report in the Ventura County Star, Lily Saechao, 22, along with Her and their son, Isaac, were traveling south on Highway 99 in Tulare County early morning on February 2, 2009 when a man driving a pickup truck the wrong way struck the family’s sport utility vehicle head-on.

Both Vilai Her and Isaac died from their injuries. Saechao, who was the driver, suffered major injuries and was taken to an area hospital. The couple were wearing their seat belts and their son was properly restrained in a car seat, California Highway Patrol officials said. Salvador Leon, 37, the wrong-way driver, also sustained major injuries. Investigators believe Leon was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the fatal crash. Leon had apparently been driving on the highway in the wrong direction for about 3 miles before the crash occurred. He is facing felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges.

I offer my deepest sympathies to Lily Saechao and other family members and friends. It is heartbreaking that this family was destroyed because of the negligence and the irresponsible behavior of a drunk driver. Tragic! I wish Saechao the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

Continue reading " Fresno County Head-On Collision Kills Father and Infant Son " »

Francisco Yaxon, 44, died of fatal injuries he suffered in a Santa Ana pedestrian hit-and-run accident. According to this news report in The Orange County Register, the incident occurred the evening of February 1, 2009 in the 300 block of Newhope Street. A 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK 320 was traveling north on Newhope when a 1996 Chevy S10 pickup truck made a right turn in front of it. The Mercedes then clipped the back of the pickup, which forced it into Yaxon who was apparently walking on the east sidewalk of Newhope.

Yaxon was pinned against a wall. The driver of the pickup truck, Joel Torrejon Miranda, 40, of Santa Ana, fled the scene. He was arrested shortly afterward in his home. Miranda is being held on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, driving under the influence of alcohol and vehicular manslaughter. The driver of the Mercedes complained of pain, but did not suffer any major injuries.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Francisco Yaxon, who died tragically in this unfortunate accident. This man was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Yaxon.

There is no question that the drunk driver in this case, Joel Torrejon Miranda, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Based on this newspaper report, it seems to me that Miranda very likely caused this accident and is at fault because he was a intoxicated driver. Miranda then escaped from the scene of the accident when by law, he was required to wait for officials to arrive and do what he could to help the injured victim. Instead, he simply took off because he knew he was intoxicated and in trouble. Despicable!

Continue reading " Man Killed in Orange County DUI Pedestrian Accident " »

Two people are in critical condition and three others suffered moderate or major injuries in an Orange County multi-vehicle DUI auto accident caused by a 17-year-old boy, The Orange County Register reports in this article. The teen, traveling at a high rate of speed, weaved in and out of traffic on Lincoln Avenue in Anaheim before he triggered a five-car collision that sent five to the hospital. Police say the teen sideswiped two vehicles, which included a van with a mother and her 10 children before rear-ending a black sport utility vehicle.

The impact of the crash apparently sent the SUV into the raised median and into oncoming traffic before it collided with a silver Toyota driven by a nurse who had just left work. The driver of the SUV and the Toyota are in critical condition. A 17-year-old passenger in the teen driver’s car was injured. The mother and the 10 children in the van were apparently uninjured. The teenager, who was not injured, has been arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence with injury.

Continue reading " Intoxicated Teen Causes Major Injury Anaheim Auto Accident " »

A Corona woman killed in February 2, 2009 auto accident in Chino has been identified as Ma De Luurdes Medina-Lopez. According to this news report. Medina-Lopez, 46, was in a green Honda Accord driving northbound when she tried to make a left turn on Eucalyptus Avenue in Chino. At the time, 27-year-old Joseph Orozco, who was traveling south on Central Avenue, struck the Honda. Medina-Lopez suffered fatal injuries and died in an area hospital. Anyone who saw this fatal auto accident is asked to contact Chino Officer Jesse Gutierrez as 909-590-5593.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ma De Luurdes Medina-Lopez for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Traffic Reporting System, in 2006, there were seven Chino auto accident deaths in San Bernardino and 497 traffic accident related injuries. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 351 fatalities and 10,842 injuries were reported during the same period as a result of auto accidents.

Statistically, left turns are considered one of the most dangerous maneuvers and the cause of many auto accidents. Left-turn accidents are similar to head-on collisions in terms of the serious injuries they cause to drivers and especially front-seat passengers. Left turn accidents frequently involve the most vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, pedestrians or bicyclists.

Continue reading " Chino Auto Accident Kills Corona Woman " »

Leonard Vernon Maxwell III, 52, of Garden Grove, died in a motorcycle accident caused by debris on the 91 Freeway in Corona, The Orange County Register reports in this article. Maxwell and his wife were both riding their motorcycles westbound in the carpool lane the night of January 30, 2009 when Maxwell hit a trailer tow hitch that was lying in the lane. Maxwell was knocked off his motorcycle.

His wife apparently tried to help him, but before she could get to him, a sport utility vehicle in the fast lane struck and killed him. The accident occurred just west of Grand Boulevard in Corona.

My heart goes out to Leonard Vernon Maxwell’s wife, family and friends – especially his wife, who actually saw her husband get struck and killed on that freeway. I offer my deepest condolences to her and to those who knew and loved Maxwell.

Freeway debris is a common cause of accidents on California’s freeways. The California State Department of Transportation (Caltrans) estimates that 140,000 cubic yards of debris is dumped on California’s roadways each year. In fact, roadway debris, especially on the highways, has caused 155 traffic accident deaths in California over the last two years. Motorcyclists in particular are more susceptible to serious or fatal injuries in these accidents.

Continue reading " Orange County Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident Caused by Freeway Debris " »

April Junhee Whang, 26, of Fullerton was killed in an auto accident the morning of February 1, 2009 after a motorist ran a red light at a La Habra intersection and struck her, The Orange County Register reports in this article. The fatal auto accident occurred at the intersection of Imperial Highway and Beach Boulevard when a 2003 black Mazda 6, driven by 20-year-old Brittany Deanne Shuetze of Irvine, ran a red light and struck Whang’s Integra. La Habra police believe alcohol was involved in this incident. Schuetz is facing felony drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter charges.

My heart goes out to the family of young April Junhee Whang who was tragically killed in this accident because of the sheer recklessness and negligence of this suspected drunk driver. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Whang. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers.

Based on this newspaper report, there are just so many things wrong with what the driver of the Mazda, Schuetz, did here. She was apparently driving under the influence, speeding and ran a red light. This is highly irresponsible behavior. I hope she is criminally prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and also held civilly responsible for the accident and in this case, the Orange County wrongful death of April Junhee Whang.

Continue reading " Woman Killed in Orange County DUI Auto Accident " »

Six Orange County teenagers who were on their way to Big Bear for snowboarding were injured the night of January 25, 2009 after their Chevrolet Tahoe sport utility vehicle veered off Highway 18 in Running Springs, rolled over and plummeted down an embankment. This news report in the Mountain News identifies the injured victims as Kevin Hynes, 19, of Huntington Beach; Robert Conolly, 19, of Costa Mesa; Nicholas and William Judd, both 18, of Huntington Beach; Jarron Ertz, 18, of Huntington Beach; and Joshua Erber Stout, 18, of Huntington Beach.

The 2000 Chevy Tahoe, driven by Hynes, went off the mountain road in thick fog, flipped on its roof, went down an embankment and came to rest among trees about 25 feet below the highway, California Highway Patrol officials said. The visibility on that highway was about 20 feet when the accident occurred. There was no guard rail at that location. Conolly and Nicholas Judd, who were in the SUV’s second row, suffered severe injuries with Judd suffering a major fracture on his right leg and Conolly suffering a toe fracture. Ertz suffered a broken jaw. The three others suffered relatively minor injuries. All occupants except Nicholas Judd were said to have been wearing seatbelts.

My heart goes out to all these teenagers, who were probably out there looking forward to a good time when this unfortunate auto rollover accident occurred. I am extremely relieved that this did not turn out into a significant tragedy as it could have. These teenagers are extremely lucky to be alive. It’s great to hear that alcohol or drugs were not involved and all but one were buckled up. I wish all of them the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

Continue reading " Orange County Teens Injured in Running Springs Rollover Crash " »