California Injury Blog
Evelyn Crenshaw, 84, was killed in a Fallbrook car accident after a man ran a red light and slammed into her sedan the afternoon of May 26, 2009, 10news reports. The 47-year-old Fallbrook man who has not yet been identified, was driving a Chevy Silverado pickup truck eastbound on Mission Road when he ran a red light and struck Crenshaw’s sedan. Crenshaw was apparently turning left on Mission from the Interstate 15, California Highway Patrol officials said. Crenshaw suffered fatal personal injuries and died at the scene. CHP officials say the distracted driver of the Silverado did not notice the red light and went right through. He will likely face misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges.
My heart goes out to the family of Evelyn Crenshaw who died tragically because of another driver’s apparent negligence. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Crenshaw. Please keep them in your prayers.
According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2006, as many as 171,000 car accidents and 144,000 injuries and 887 deaths were attributed to red light running. Public costs exceed $14 billion per year and more than half of the deaths in red light running crashes are other motorists and pedestrians as opposed to the red light runners themselves.
Running a red light is a serious traffic violation in California. There are various California Vehicle Code sections that are part of what we commonly refer to as “rules of the road.” These code sections address motorists’ behavior at intersections, especially those controlled by traffic signals.
California Vehicle Code Section 21453 (a) states: “A driver facing a circular red signal shall stop at the limit line before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown.”
The driver in this fatal San Diego County car accident must be held both civilly and criminally liable for causing Crenshaw’s fatal personal injuries. Crenshaw’s family would be well advised to contact reputed San Diego car accident attorneys who will be able to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family. Such claims seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of earnings, companionship and other related damages. Skilled personal injury attorneys will also look into whether there was a dangerous condition at that intersection which caused or contributed to the car crash. If that was the case, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable. Claims against California governmental agencies must be filed within six months of the accident/injury.