David Sanders, 30, of San Bernardino was killed in an El Monte car accident and two Caltrans workers suffered injuries after Sanders’ minivan rear-ended a work truck. According to a news report in The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the fatal car crash occurred the morning of July 24, 2012 on the westbound 10 Freeway east of Peck Road. Sanders was driving his 2002 Ford Windstar van west on the 10 in a lane that was closed due to construction. A Caltrans utility truck that was carrying two contractors was going in reverse in the same lane. One worker was sitting in the back of the truck picking up orange construction cones. The van rear-ended the truck.
Sanders and his dog died at the scene. The two injured Caltrans workers were transported to a local hospital. They were both employees of Atkins Construction, which is based in Foothill Ranch. This crash has occurred barely two days after another collision involving two drunk drivers that killed two road workers on the 405 Freeway in Torrance.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of David Sanders for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Car Accident Statistics
According to CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were seven fatalities and 430 injuries involving El Monte car accidents. Also, during the same year, 554 people died and 50,817 were injured due to Los Angeles County car accidents.
What Caused This Crash?
Based on this news report, it appears that Caltrans workers were finishing up and removing traffic cones when this fatal collision occurred. There are several unanswered questions here. Was the lane that was supposed to be closed for construction clearly marked? Was the construction company negligent in properly marking the work zone? Who was driving the work truck carrying the two contractors? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Fault and Liability
If the construction workers or the company is determined to have been at fault, they and their employer could be held liable for Sanders’s wrongful death. On the other hand, if Sanders was negligent, then the injured workers can seek compensation from his estate and liability insurance for their injuries and damages in addition to seeking workers’ compensation benefits. The investigation in such cases can get complex and challenging. It is critical that injured victims or families of deceased victims contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.