Yesenia Gonzalez, 31, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident early morning September 13, 2009 after she was struck by a car on the 105 Freeway in Downey, California. According to a report in the Whittier Daily News, Gonzalez was hit while walking for unknown reasons, in the traffic lanes of the roadway. The driver who struck Gonzalez fled the scene of the accident, California Highway Patrol officials said. Anyone with information is asked to call the CHP at 562-868-0503.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Yesenia Gonzalez for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved this woman. Please keep them in your prayers.
Los Angeles Pedestrian Accidents
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities and 50 injuries involving
pedestrian accidents in Downey. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 210 deaths and 5,095 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007.
I trust the hit-and-run driver involved in this pedestrian-car crash will soon be apprehended and brought to justice. It appears that CHP officials do not have much information yet, about how or why this fatal car accident occurred. Was Gonzalez’s car stalled and was she trying to cross traffic lanes to get help? What was the state of the motorist at the time of the crash? Was he or she speeding, driving under the influence, distracted or otherwise negligent? Did that driver have sufficient time to stop the vehicle to avoid the collision? In these types of hit-and-run accidents, it is very important for an eyewitness to step forward and help the investigation. The answers to the above questions will help determine the cause of this accident and who was at fault.
Hit-and-Run, A Serious Crime
Whatever the cause of this accident, it was wrong and against the law for the driver to flee the scene. There is no question that the suspect will face serious legal consequences if apprehended. It is possible this accident may not have even been that driver’s fault. Still he or she will face criminal charges for driving away instead of remaining at the scene, cooperating with law enforcement, providing identification, insurance and contact information and getting help for the injured party.
Hit-and-run is a serious crime in California. According to California Vehicle Code section 20001: “The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.”
In such serious accident cases, it is in the best interest of the victim’s family to consult with an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will keep up with the investigation and help determine whether there was any negligence or wrongdoing that caused the accident and fatal injuries. Where there is negligence or wrongdoing, families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for funeral expenses, loss of earnings, loss of love and companionship and other related damages.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our source for the facts is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. Most of the best law firms will provide accident victims a free consultation.
We cannot fully inform any party or family member about their rights, options or the economic viability of any claim for compensation without a full investigation and consultation. We will not be conducting an investigation into this matter unless we are retained by a party. We will provide a free, confidential consultation to any, not at fault, person named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.