A woman identified as 45-year-old Aubrye Foote was struck and killed by a vehicle as she tried to help a bicyclist whom she fatally struck. According to a report in The Orange County Register, Foote was driving an SUV when she struck the bicyclist on San Joaquin Hills Road west of Newport Ridge Drive. A male bicyclist in his late teens died at the scene of the collision.
Foote then got out of her vehicle and tried to care for the bicyclist. She was hit by another SUV and transported to an area hospital. Foote was pronounced dead at the hospital. The second motorist who struck Foote waited for police to arrive and cooperated with their investigation. No one was arrested or cited in connection with the crash.
We offer our deepest condolences to the families of Aubrye Foote and the young bicyclist who were both killed in separate crashes. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Ongoing Investigation
Based on this news report, it appears that Foote fatally struck the bicyclist. She then got out to help him when she was fatally struck herself by another driver. However, there are a number of questions here. What caused the initial collision between Foote and the bicyclist? Why did the driver of the other SUV miss Foote on the roadway? Was there insufficient lighting on the roadway? Did distracted or impaired driving play a part in these fatal collisions? We trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Compensation for Victims’ Families
In such cases, it would be in the best interest of victims’ families to contact an experienced Newport Beach car accident lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. If negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love, care and companionship.
If a dangerous roadway or defective road design caused or contributed to an accident, a claim may be filed against the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway. Any such claim against a governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the incident. An experienced Newport Beach personal injury lawyer will be able to guide victims and their families through what can be a complex legal process and help them secure maximum compensation for their tremendous losses.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2020/03/18/woman-fatally-struck-by-vehicle-in-newport-beach-identified/