California Highway Patrol officials this week arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with a Sacramento car accident, which killed 45-year-old Christine Ingle and badly injured three others. According to a KXTV news report, Travis Moore has been charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and felony reckless driving in connection with the car accident, which occurred on February 16, 2010.
Officials say, Moore had been speeding in a Mercedes SUV, eastbound on C Street, and failed to stop for a stop sign at the intersection of C and 16th streets. Moore’s SUV then struck a Ford Explorer. Ingle, the driver of the Ford SUV, was wearing a seatbelt, but was partially ejected and killed at the scene. Three girls, all in their teens, inside the Mercedes were ejected from the vehicle and sustained critical to serious personal injuries. Moore only suffered minor injuries.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Christine Ingle for the loss and devastation they have suffered. Please keep them in your prayers.
California Vehicular Manslaughter Law
Under California Penal Code section 191.5 (a): “Gross vehicular manslaughter is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence.” In this particular case, officials say, Moore also ran a stop sign. California law requires drivers to come to a complete stop at a stop sign and proceed with caution (California Vehicle Code section 21802).
Claim for Compensation
Ingle’s family would be well-advised to contact an experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer, who will make sure that Moore is also held civilly liable for Ingle’s wrongful death. A wrongful death claim is usually filed by family members of the deceased victims and seeks compensation to cover medical or funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other damages.
A skilled car accident lawyer who has successfully handled auto product liability cases should also look into why Ingle was ejected from her vehicle when she was wearing her safety belt and whether seatbelt defects contributed to her fatal injuries.
What are the most dangerous intersections in your city or neighborhood? What concerns you the most about these intersections (lack of traffic signals, stop signs, flashing lights etc.)?
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 information source 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, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.