Traffic Accident News

A 28-year-old woman and her 8-year-old daughter sustained injuries in a Los Angeles car accident after their car overturned on the freeway. According to a news report in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, the injury crash occurred the morning of March 30, 2011 on the 57 Freeway near Temple Avenue in Pomona. The woman was driving a Toyota Camry when for an unknown reason, she veered to the left. The car then rolled over several times before colliding with the center median. The woman sustained moderate injuries while her daughter suffered relatively minor injuries. Both were wearing seatbelts.

My heart goes out to the mother and daughter who have been injured in this rollover accident. I'm relieved that neither one of them sustained life-threatening injuries given the intensity of this accident. I wish the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six fatalities and 717 injuries involving car accidents in Pomona. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 people died and 52,229 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Continue reading " Two Injured in Los Angeles Rollover Accident " »

Federal Judge Stephen Reinhardt was injured in a Los Angeles car accident, which police say, involved a motorist running a red light. According to a news report in The Daily Breeze, the injury car accident occurred near the intersection of Washington Place and Inglewood Boulevard in Mar Vista the night of March 28, 2011. Reinhardt was traveling westbound when a southbound motorist ran a red light at the intersection and struck the judge’s vehicle. Reinhardt suffered a knee injury. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured. It is not known if the other driver will be cited.

My thoughts and prayers are with Judge Stephen Reinhardt following this car accident. I truly hope his injuries were not serious and wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Continue reading " Federal Judge Injured in Los Angeles Car Accident " »

A police officer was injured in a San Jose car accident after his motorcycle was struck by another vehicle at a busy intersection. According to a KTVU news report, the injury motorcycle accident occurred the afternoon of March 28, 2011 at the intersection of South First Street and Alma Avenue. The officer was traveling on South First Street pursuing a motorist who committed a traffic violation. When the officer approached Alma Avenue, a light blue Honda Accord pulled in front of him causing a collision.

Authorities say the Honda, which was eastbound on Alma, made a right turn on to South First Street and entered the officer's path. The driver of the Honda fled the scene of the crash. The officer was spotted lying on the roadway by a police sergeant. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a head injury. Police have described the suspect vehicle as a Honda, 2004 or 2006 model. Anyone with information about the hit-and-run driver is asked to contact San Jose police at 408-277-4654 or simply call 911.

Continue reading " Motorcycle Officer Injured in San Jose Hit-and-Run Car Accident " »

A 28-year-old motorcyclist sustained serious injuries in a San Diego car accident after he was struck by a vehicle at a street intersection. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the injury motorcycle accident occurred at the intersection of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and Dubois Drive the night of March 25, 2011. The motorcyclist was eastbound on Clairemont Mesa when he was hit by a 59-year-old man who was driving a Toyota truck north on Dubois Drive. Officials say motorist did not see the approaching motorcycle, pulled away from the stop sign at the intersection and into the path of the motorcycle. The rider was transported to a local hospital with a fractured femur, arm and hand. The truck driver was uninjured. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to this injured motorcyclist who has suffered severe injuries including multiple fractures. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. He will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading " San Diego Motorcycle Accident Causes Serious Injuries " »

Jacinto Chavez, 24, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident, which involved a hit-and-run driver who officials say may have been under the influence of alcohol. According to a KTLA news report, the fatal car accident occurred at the intersection of James M. Wood Boulevard at Ardmore Avenue in Koreatown early morning on March 26, 2011.

Police say Ricardo Leos, 20, was speeding in a Mitsubishi car on a residential street when he tried to pass another vehicle and crashed into a silver sedan. The sedan struck a pole. Chavez, a passenger in the Mitsubishi was pronounced dead at the scene. Three men in the silver car were taken to a local hospital with injuries, as was one other person in the Mitsubishi. Leos fled the scene, but was arrested shortly afterward and charged with DUI, hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Hit-And-Run Car Accident Proves Fatal " »

Two people sustained critical injuries in a Huntington Beach car accident after a car struck another vehicle that was making a left turn at a street intersection. According to a City News Service report, the major injury collision occurred at the intersection of Yorktown Avenue and Newland Street the night of March 24, 2011. The driver of a Lotus Elise was heading west on Yorktown Avenue when it crashed into a BMW that was making a left turn at the intersection. Investigators are trying to determine which one of the drivers caused the accident. Both the drivers were transported to local hospitals with critical injuries. Anyone who witnessed this car accident is asked to contact Huntington Beach police at 714-536-5666.

My heart goes out to the critically injured victims of this car accident. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 12 fatalities and 943 injuries due to car accidents in Huntington Beach. During the same year, 152 people died and 13, 414 were injured in Orange County car accidents.

Continue reading " Huntington Beach Car Accident Causes Critical Injuries " »

Two elderly people have been seriously injured in a New Jersey car accident, after the vehicle they were in was struck head-on by a trailer, which detached from a pickup truck. According to a report in The News of Cumberland County, the injury car accident occurred the afternoon of March 23, 2011 on Shiloh Pike near the West Commerce Street extension. Witnesses told officials that a pickup truck was towing a trailer with a car on it. The trailer then came loose and hit the victims' car head-on. The elderly victims were trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated. They were transported to local hospitals for treatment of unknown injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to the injured victims of this horrific car accident. Eyewitnesses describe the scene as "gruesome." I sincerely hope the elderly victims of this accident have not sustained catastrophic injuries. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading " Loose Trailer Causes Major New Jersey Car Accident " »

Jennifer Reams sustained serious injuries in a Santa Barbara car accident, which police say, involved a drunk driver. According to a news report in The Daily Sound, the DUI car crash occurred on Highway 101 in the Casitas Pass area of Carpinteria the night of March 17, 2011. California Highway Patrol officials say that Alfonso Robles-Contreras drove his 1997 Nissan Maxima the wrong way on the highway before crashing into five cars. Some of the vehicles the Maxima struck include a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu a 2010 Hyundai, a 2002 Lexus. Reams, the driver of the Lexus, suffered broken legs and a broken hip. Robles-Contreras and his brother suffered serious injuries as well. Police arrested the 26-year-old Robles-Contreras for driving under the influence and driving without a license.

My thoughts and prayers are with the many victims of this car accident. I also wish Jennifer Reams the very best for a speedy and complete recovery from her injuries.

DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but eight injuries reported as a result of DUI collisions in Carpinteria. During that same year, there were 19 fatalities and 287 injuries involving alcohol-related crashes in Santa Barbara County.

Continue reading " Car Accident Involving Wrong-Way Driver Causes Injuries " »

Nia Marie Lopez, 19, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say, was caused by a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the fatal car accident occurred in the 2800 block of East Cortez Street in West Covina early morning on March 18, 2011. The car in which Lopez was a passenger careened over an embankment and crashed into a fence and tree. The driver of that car, 21-year-old William Garzon, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Nia Marie Lopez for their devastating loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 60 injuries due to DUI collisions in West Covina. In Los Angeles County as a whole, alcohol-related crashes claimed 258 lives and injured 4,832 people during the same year.

Continue reading " Fatal Los Angeles Car Accident Involves Suspected Drunk Driver " »

Joey Ramos, 27, was killed in an Orange County car accident involving a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred the morning of March 19, 2011 on Westminster Boulevard at the Interstate 405 overpass in Westminster. Ramos was riding his motorcycle when a pickup truck driven by Tania Gallina, 24, struck him. Officials say Gallina drove her truck head-on into Ramos as she turned from Westminster Boulevard onto the northbound 405 onramp. Ramos died at the scene. Gallina has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and gross vehicular manslaughter.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Joey Ramos following this tragic motorcycle accident. He is described by family members as a caring and happy-go-lucky man. My thoughts and prayers are with Ramos' family members as they grieve this terrible loss.

Continue reading " Orange County DUI Collision Proves Fatal for Motorcyclist " »

Joseph Annocki, 41, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident when a car struck his motorcycle. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred near Geoffrey’s Restaurant on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu the night of March 16, 2011. Annocki was riding east on the highway, when a white sedan driven by 50-year-old Terry Turner pulled out of the parking lot of the restaurant, in front of the motorcycle. Annocki was killed in the crash. Turner and his passenger, Donna Martin, 47, were not injured in the accident. An investigation is ongoing.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Joseph Annocki. My thoughts and prayers are with them following this tragic motorcycle accident.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 22 people were injured in Malibu motorcycle accidents. During that same year, there were 114 fatalities and 2,934 injuries reported involving motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles County.

Continue reading " Motorcyclist Killed in Los Angeles Car Accident " »

Dragos Tanase, 36, and Bora Nastic, 66, sustained major injuries in a Riverside car accident, which involved several vehicles. According to a news report in the Southwest Riverside News Network, the major injury accident occurred early morning on March 15 on the 10 Freeway in Desert Center.

California Highway Patrol officials say the accident happened when 55-year-old John Lang crashed his big-rig into the rear of a stopped 2007 Freightliner truck. That truck in turn hit another big rig which collided with a sedan. Lang sustained major injuries as did Tanase, the driver of the truck that was rear-ended, and, his passenger, Nastic. The driver of the third truck that was hit, 40-year-old Hector Castro, and the driver of the sedan, 33-year-old Rachel Douglas, both, sustained relatively minor injuries.

My heart goes out to everyone who was injured in this truck accident. I wish them all the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Continue reading " Five Injured in Riverside Truck Accident " »

Investigators looking into a New York bus accident, which killed 15 passengers and critically injured six, have found that the driver, Ophadell Williams, is a convicted felon and that the bus company has had a history of falsifying logs that listed information about drivers' hours and rest periods. According to an Associated Press news report, a bus owned by World Wide Travel, which was making an early morning run from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut to New York's Chinatown went off the roadway and flipped. A pole on the roadway pierced the windshield and tore the bus in half, shearing off its roof.

Officials are still investigating William's claim that he lost control because the bus was clipped by a tractor-trailer which left the scene. But authorities have also gotten reports from passengers that Williams was speeding, dozing off and driving erratically right before the crash. Investigators found that five out of eight random inspections that the bus company had over the last 10 years showed their logs were not current, complete or legible.

Continue reading " Bus Company in Deadly Bronx Crash Has History of Safety Violations " »

Two people, identified as 20-year-old Troy Nguyen and 50-year-old Wei Wang, were killed in a bus accident on the New Jersey Turnpike the night of March 14, 2011. According to an Associated Press news report, the fatal crash occurred within three days of another horrific bus accident in the Bronx, which killed 15 people. In the New Jersey bus accident, two were killed and 10 others were injured when the bus hit a concrete support for an overpass. Two of those victims, identified as Louis Pierre, 50, and 70-year-old David Choi, were critically injured.

Tragic Bus Accident

Officials say the tour bus operated by Super Luxury Tours between the Chinatowns of Philadelphia and New York went out of control. The driver, Wang, was not wearing his seatbelt and was thrown 15 feet through the windshield. Officials say the bus was traveling south on the turnpike in East Brunswick when the vehicle went off the road onto a grassy median, before striking the overpass support. Investigators are looking into whether a blown tire caused the driver to lose control. They are also looking into whether the driver suffered a medical issue just before the crash. An investigation is ongoing.

Continue reading " New Jersey Bus Accident Kills Two " »

Fourteen people died and several others were critically injured in a New York City bus accident the morning of March 12, 2011. According to a news report in The New York Times, the horrific bus accident occurred on Interstate 95 near the Bronx line, when a casino bus swerved out of control, skidded next to a guardrail and rammed into the support pole of a freeway exit sign. The pole then smashed through the bus' front, before ripping through the entire length of the vehicle along the passenger window line.

Possible Hit-and-Run Accident

The bus driver, 40-year-old Ophadell Williams, told officials that his bus was clipped by a passing tractor-trailer, which sped away. Police are still investigating the driver's account and looking into other reports that the driver may have been speeding right before the fatal accident. The World Wide Tours bus was headed from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut to China Town. At least 14 people of the 32 on board were killed. The deceased victims ranged in age from people in their 20s to 50s. Nine were treated in area hospitals and released. Nine others suffered serious or critical injuries. The Times identifies one of the deceased victims as 66-year-old Michael Yeh, but authorities have yet to release the names of the victims.

Continue reading " Bus Accident in New York Kills 14 " »

A 25-year-old motorcyclist was critically injured in a San Francisco area car accident, which officials say, involved illegal street racing. According to an article in The Reporter, the major injury car accident occurred in Fairfield early morning on March 5, 2011. Officials say the motorcyclist, a 25-year-old man stationed at Travis Air Force Base, lost control of his motorcycle. A police officer was about to stop the motorcycle and a silver sedan, which were reportedly traveling at high rate of speed when the motorcyclist crashed. The driver of the silver sedan did not stop and fled the scene of the car accident. The motorcyclist was airlifted to a regional hospital where he remains in critical condition. Police say the other vehicle was possibly a silver Acura.

My heart goes out to the critically injured victim of this car accident. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were eight fatalities and 615 injuries involving car accidents in Fairfield. In Solano County as a whole, 33 people died and 1,735 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Continue reading " Illegal Street Racing Suspected in Fairfield Car Accident " »

Darlene Gadberry, 68, sustained serious injuries in a San Diego car accident after she was hit by a vehicle at a street intersection the evening of March 6, 2011. According to a news report in The Ramona Patch, the hit-and-run accident occurred at the intersection of Eighth and Main streets in Ramona. A pickup truck attempting a left turn onto Main from Eighth Street struck Gadberry as she was walking north at Eighth Street.

Gadberry suffered a cut to the back of her head, a broken pelvis, rib fractures and a collapsed lung. The pickup truck, which hit Gadberry, did not stop and continued on Main Street. Officials say Gadberry was crossing the road legally and had right-of-way at the time. The hit-and-run vehicle has only been described as a pickup truck, possibly blue, white or silver in color. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to the victim of this serious injury hit-and-run car accident. I hope Gadberry makes a speedy and complete recovery from her serious injuries. Please keep this injured victim and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading " Pedestrian Injured in San Diego Hit-and-Run Car Accident " »

A pedestrian was fatally injured in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say, involved a hit-and-run driver on March 6, 2011. According to an ABC News report, the fatal car accident occurred on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near Menlo Avenue. The pedestrian was leaving a party just after midnight when he was hit by the car. He was transported to a local hospital, but succumbed to his injuries. The vehicle that hit the pedestrian did not stop. Officials are on the lookout for the hit-and-run driver. Anyone with information is asked to contact LAPD at 1-877-527-3247.

I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved this deceased hit-and-run car accident victim. Please keep this grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.

Pedestrian Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 104 fatalities and 2,716 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in the city of Los Angeles. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 214 people died and 4,985 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Car Accident Kills Pedestrian " »

A 7-year-old boy suffered severe head injuries in an Orange County car accident when the Honda Accord in which he was a passenger was struck by another vehicle at a street intersection. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the major injury car accident occurred at the intersection of Hazard Avenue and Purdy Street in Westminster the morning of March 4, 2011. Police say the Honda Accord was turning left when a Toyota Sequoia broadsided it.

The 7-year-old passenger in the Honda is in serious condition with head injuries. The female driver of the Sequoia sustained minor injuries in the crash. The Honda continued on to strike a Xterra that was at a stop sign, but no one was hurt in that vehicle. Officials are looking into which one of the vehicles had the right-of-way at the intersection.

My thoughts and prayers are with the young boy injured in this Orange County car accident. I wish him a complete and speedy recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), four people were killed and 467 were injured in Westminster car accidents. During that same year, there were 152 fatalities and 13,414 injuries reported due to Orange County car accidents.

Continue reading " Orange County Car Accident Seriously Injures Boy " »

Five people, including a 10-year-old boy, were injured in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say, involved several vehicles. According to an NBC news report, the injury car accident occurred the afternoon of February 26, 2011 on the westbound 118 Freeway at Hayvenhurst Avenue. California Highway Patrol officials say multiple vehicles were involved, but did not say how many. One 10-year-old boy was transported to an area hospital with severe injuries to his leg. A 30-year-old woman and three children were also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials are investigating the cause of this car accident.

I'm relieved to hear that the four victims are recovering from their injuries. My heart goes out to the boy who has sustained severe leg injuries. I wish him and the other victims the very best for a swift and full recovery. Please keep these injured victims in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accidents in Los Angeles

According to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 268 fatalities and 25,588 injuries involving Los Angeles car accidents. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 people died and 52,228 were injured as a result of car accidents accidents during the same year.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Car Accident Injures Five " »

A motorcyclist, identified as Jeremy Gene Walkowiak, was seriously injured in a San Diego car accident, which officials say, involved a hit-and-run driver. According to a 10News report, the injury motorcycle accident occurred the evening of March 3, 2011 on Montiel Road in San Marcos. Police say Walkowiak was traveling east on Montiel from Nordahl Road when a vehicle turned in front of him.

Walkowiak lost control of his motorcycle. It was at that time that 61-year-old Richard William Flaig made a left turn in a Dodge pickup truck and ran over Walkowiak and his motorcycle. Eyewitnesses told police that the pickup truck did not stop and kept going. Walkowiak has been hospitalized with serious injuries. Investigators later identified Flaig as the driver of the pickup truck and arrested him on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing injury. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to the injured victim, Jeremy Walkowiak. I sincerely hope he has not sustained catastrophic injuries in this hit-and-run car accident and pray for his speedy and complete recovery.

Continue reading " Hit-and-Run Car Accident in San Diego Injures Motorcyclist " »

A woman in her 60s was injured in a San Francisco car accident, which officials say, was caused by a hit-and-run driver. According to a Bay City News report, the injury pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of Market and O'Farrell streets the afternoon of February 25, 2011. The woman was transported to a local trauma center with life-threatening head injuries. The driver who hit her fled the scene of the accident.

Police are looking for the hit-and-run suspect, who is described as a Hispanic male in his early 20s with a beard. Police say the suspect was driving a silver Ford Explorer with a partial California license plate of 5JTJ3-4. He was last seen westbound on Market Street going heading toward Powell Street. If you have information about this incident or the suspect, please contact San Francisco police officials at 415-553-1215.

My heart goes out to the injured victim of this hit-and-run car accident. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Continue reading " San Francisco Hit-and-Run Car Accident Critically Injures Woman " »

A motorcycle rider was seriously injured in a San Diego car accident, which occurred at an intersection. According to a news report in The North County Times, the motorcycle accident happened at Poway and Community roads in Poway the evening of February 28, 2011. An SUV collided with the motorcycle at the busy intersection causing severe injuries to the rider, including a leg fracture. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the motorcyclist following this San Diego injury accident. I wish the rider a speedy and complete recovery from his or her injuries.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but five injuries reported involving motorcycle accidents in Poway. During that same year, there were 51 fatalities and 1,081 injuries reported due to motorcycle accidents in San Diego County.

Continue reading " Motorcyclist Injured in San Diego Car Accident " »

Hyun Sheen, 57, was killed in an Orange County car accident involving a hit-and-run driver, early morning on February 26, 2011. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred in the northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway near Lake Forest Drive in Lake Forest. Sheen lost control of her 2006 Honda Civic and crashed into the center divider. The car veered across traffic lanes and came to rest on the freeway shoulder. Police say Sheen exited the Honda, apparently disoriented, and was walking when she was hit by another vehicle. She died at the scene. The other vehicle did not stop. Officials do not have a make and model for the hit-and-run vehicle, but say it would have damage to the front bumper, hood and windshield.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Hyun Sheen for their tragic and devastating loss. My thoughts and prayers are with them following this tragic hit-and-run car accident.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person was killed and 10 were injured in Lake Forest pedestrian accidents. During that same year, there were 31 fatalities and 785 injuries reported due to Orange County pedestrian accidents.

Continue reading " Fatal Orange County Car Accident Involves Hit-and-Run Driver " »