Costa Mesa police are looking for a driver who struck and killed 64-year-old Linda Jean Lefler on the night of June 15.
According to a news report in The Daily Pilot, the fatal crash occurred near the intersection of Fairview Road and Baker Street. Lefler was attempting to cross Fairview just south of Baker. The driver of the vehicle, which witnesses described as a silver Toyota sedan, drove away from the scene.
Ongoing Investigation
Police said Lefler was not in a crosswalk when the collision occurred and died from her injuries at the scene. Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect vehicle and the driver. Officers believe that based on evidence at the scene, the vehicle may have sustained moderate front-end damage as well as windshield damage. Anyone with information or nearby businesses that may have video surveillance footage of the collision should contact Costa Mesa police at 714-754-5264. The investigation is ongoing.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of Linda Jean Lefler for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Laws and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, officials say the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk at the time. But the driver struck her and left her lying in the roadway without stopping to help. Under California law, drivers are required to exercise due care when it comes to pedestrians in the roadway, whether or not they are in a crosswalk. Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a), motorists are required to stop, wait for authorities to arrive, exchange pertinent information with other parties and render aid to injured victims.
In cases where a driver’s negligence may have caused a pedestrian’s death, families of deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love, care and companionship. A knowledgeable Costa Mesa hit-and-run lawyer will also be able to advise families regarding how their own auto insurance policy might apply to a hit-and-run crash where the driver has not been identified or in a case where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Source: https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2022-06-16/costa-mesa-police-on-the-lookout-for-driver-who-killed-pedestrian-64-in-hit-and-run