Boy Killed in South Gate Crash Involving Off Duty Police Officer

A Nov. 4 car accident that left 12-year-old Isaiah Suarez Rodriguez dead and two others injured may have been caused by an off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy, according to news reports.

CBS Los Angeles reports that Isaiah was pronounced dead shortly after the accident. His older sister Alexa, 19, was driving and making a left turn at an intersection when a pickup truck slammed into the side of their vehicle.

Ongoing Investigation

Onlookers tried to help the victims before emergency personnel arrived at the scene. Isaiah was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officials have said that an off-duty LA County Sheriff’s deputy drove the pickup truck. He has not been identified.

Initial investigations have also made it clear that the pickup truck appeared to be speeding at the point of impact, which can be seen via security camera footage from a local business. The Rodriguez family has started a GoFundMe campaign for Isaiah’s funeral expenses and Alexa’s medical expenses.

We offer our deepest condolences to the Rodriguez family for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Our thoughts and prayers are also with Alexa Rodriguez and we wish her a speedy and full recovery.

Liability Issues

Based on this report, it appears that the pickup truck driven by the off-duty police officer may have been traveling at a high rate of speed before it struck the vehicle in which the siblings were traveling. California Vehicle Code Section 22350 (Basic Speed Law) states: “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic and on surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.”

In such cases, the at-fault driver can be held liable for the injuries, damages, and losses caused. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Families of deceased victims can also seek compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. An experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer will be able to advise injured victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options.

 

Source: https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/11/11/12-year-old-boy-killed-in-a-deputy-involved-crash-in-south-gate/