California Injury Blog

Published on: February 4, 2011

Man Killed in Sacramento Car Accident

By Brian Chase

David Wayne Plumb, 30, was killed in a Sacramento car accident the night of January 29, 2011. According to a news report in The Sacramento Bee, the fatal car accident occurred on Highway 99 south of Laguna Boulevard in Elk Grove. A vehicle entering the freeway lost control and struck Plumb’s Dodge minivan, which carried a total of seven occupants. The minivan rolled on the highway and Plumb was ejected from the vehicle. Plumb died from his injuries. The other six occupants suffered minor to moderate injuries in the accident. An investigation is ongoing.

My deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of David Wayne Plumb following this tragic accident. My thoughts and prayers are also with the many injured victims of this accident.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), four people were killed and 366 were injured in Elk Grove car accidents. During the same year, 84 fatalities and 7,874 injuries occurred involving Sacramento County car accidents.
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Published on: February 3, 2011

Police Officer Injured in Motorcycle Accident

By Brian Chase

A police officer was injured in a San Francisco area car accident after his motorcycle was rear-ended by another vehicle the evening of February 1, 2011. According to a report in the San Jose Mercury News, the motorcycle accident occurred at the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and 43rd Street in Emeryville. The officer was stopped at the intersection while pedestrians crossed the street. At that moment a northbound vehicle failed to stop and struck him from behind. The officer was transported to an area hospital, but his injuries are not considered to be life threatening. Police say the motorist failed to even slow down while approaching the intersection. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured police officer following this Emeryville motorcycle accident. I wish him a complete and speedy recovery from his injuries.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 14 people were injured in Emeryville motorcycle accidents. During that same year, 14 fatalities and 495 injuries occurred involving Alameda County motorcycle accidents.
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Published on: February 2, 2011

Hit-and-Run Car Accident in Los Angeles Kills Teenager

By Brian Chase

Yihng Ma, 19, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after she was hit by a vehicle while crossing the street. According to a KTLA news report, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred the night of January 31, 2011 near the intersection of Walnut Grove Avenue and Marshall Street in Rosemead. The driver of the vehicle that struck Ma did not stop. Ma died at the scene. Witnesses to the hit-and-run accident describe the suspect vehicle as a newer white or gray van or SUV. Anyone who saw this accident or has information about the suspect is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Yihng Ma for their tragic, untimely and devastating loss. Please keep this grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.

Pedestrian Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 10 injuries reported involving pedestrian accidents in Rosemead. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 214 people died and 4,985 were injured due to pedestrian accidents during the same year.
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Published on: February 1, 2011

Fatal DUI Collision also Involves Hit-and-Run Driver

By Brian Chase

A man from Planada was killed in a Merced County car accident, which police report, involved a drunk driver who left the scene of the accident, the morning of January 29, 2011. According to a news article in The Merced Sun, the fatal DUI collision occurred on Bear Creek Drive near Plainsburg Road in Planada. Police say that Everado Soriano, 23, was under the influence of alcohol when he lost control of his 1991 Honda Accord. The car veered off the roadway before overturning in an irrigation canal. Soriano got out of the vehicle and left his passenger the scene of the accident. It is unclear at this time if the fatally injured passenger died in the accident or from drowning after not being able to get out of the vehicle. Soriano has been found and arrested on suspicion of felony DUI, hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the Planada man killed in this tragic accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Drunk Driving Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 14 people were killed and 75 were injured in DUI collisions in the unincorporated areas of Merced County. During that same year, there were 17 fatalities and 136 injuries reported due to alcohol-related car accidents in Merced County.
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Published on: January 31, 2011

Manslaughter Charges in Fatal DUI Collision

By Brian Chase

Dennis Splan, 40, was killed in a San Francisco car accident, which authorities say, was caused by a drunk driver. According to a KTVU San Francisco news report, the fatal DUI collision occurred on Hesperian Boulevard in Hayward the night of January 22, 2011. Splan was a passenger in a Toyota Tundra that was rear-ended by a speeding Toyota Land Cruiser driven by 43-year-old Juan Nunez. The Tundra then hit the center median of the roadway as a result of the impact. Splan died from his injuries in a nearby hospital. The driver of the Tundra suffered minor injuries as did the driver of the Land Cruiser. Nunez has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI as well as two counts of hit-and-run. The hit-and-run charges stem from two crashes that Nunez had fled just prior to the fatal rear-end accident.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Dennis Splan. Please keep this grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.

DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), two people were killed and 70 were injured in DUI collisions in Hayward. During that same year, there were 34 fatalities and 687 injuries reported due to alcohol-related car accidents in Alameda County.
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Published on: January 30, 2011

Fatal Hit-and-Run Car Accident in San Bernardino

By Brian Chase

Mark Offeney, 57, was killed in a hit-and-run car accident in San Bernardino, which officials say, was caused by a suspected car thief who was driving the wrong way on a freeway. According to a news report in The San Bernardino County Sun, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred the afternoon of January 22, 2011, when a man who police say stole a truck, drove the wrong way on the 210 Freeway. Police stopped pursuing the suspect as soon as he started going against traffic. As soon as he entered the freeway, the suspect collided with Offeney’s motorcycle.

Tragic Hit-and-Run Accident

The suspect fled on foot. When apprehended, he is likely to face auto theft, vehicular manslaughter or even murder charges, officials say. The suspect is described as a Latino man in his mid 20s, 5 feet 6 inches tall, wearing a white t-shirt or a light brown hooded sweatshirt. He was last seen in the area of Second and G streets in downtown San Bernardino. Anyone with information about this suspect is asked to call 911 or San Bernardino police at 909-384-5742.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Mark Offeney for their devastating loss. Please keep his grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.
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Published on: January 29, 2011

Pedestrian Critically Injured in San Diego Car Accident

By Brian Chase

David Ruling, 31, was critically injured in a San Diego car accident after he was struck by an SUV. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the major injury pedestrian accident occurred the evening of January 22, 2011 on West San Marcos Boulevard near Johnston Lane in San Marcos. Police say the victim ran into the roadway and hit the driver’s side door of a Toyota 4Runner. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with severe head injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to David Ruling. I sincerely hope his injuries were not catastrophic. Please keep this victim in your thoughts and prayers.

Pedestrian Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 12 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in San Marcos. In San Diego County as a whole, 63 people died and 998 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2008.
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Published on: January 28, 2011

Woman in Wheelchair Killed in Los Angeles Car Accident

By Brian Chase

A 52-year-old woman in an electric wheelchair died in a Los Angeles car accident after she was struck by a car and pinned against a wall. According to a report in the Pasadena Star-News, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred the evening of January 27, 2011 on Fair Oaks Avenue near Howard Street in Pasadena.

The vehicle, a Jaguar, had crashed into a wall and the woman in the wheelchair was found pinned between the car and the wall. She died at the scene. Investigators say the Jaguar hit the wall when its driver, a 28-year-old man, swerved to avoid hitting a dark sedan that was backing out of a driveway. Police are looking for the driver of that vehicle.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of this deceased victim. Please keep this grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.

Pedestrian Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person died and 90 were injured in Pasadena pedestrian accidents. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 214 deaths and 4,985 injuries happened involving pedestrian accidents during the same year.
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Published on: January 27, 2011

Man Critically Injured in Orange County Bicycle Accident

By Brian Chase

A man was seriously injured in a bicycle accident in Fullerton after being hit by an OCTA bus the evening of January 26, 2011. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the major injury bus accident occurred on Euclid Street at West Laguna Road. Fullerton police officials say the man, who was riding a mountain bike, tried to cross Euclid Street at Laguna Road and was hit by a small OCTA bus that was traveling north on the roadway.

The bicyclist, a man in his 60s, was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries. Anyone who witnessed this bus versus bicycle accident is asked contact Fullerton police at 714-738-6715.

My heart goes out to this injured bicyclist and his family members for what they are going through at this time. I wish this man the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person died and 69 were injured in bicycle accidents in Fullerton. In Orange County as a whole, 10 deaths and 1,087 injuries were reported involving bicycle accidents in 2008. Also during the same year, 152 people were killed and 13,414 were injured as a result of Orange County car accident.
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Published on: January 27, 2011

Reward for Info Leading to Arrest of Hit-and-Run Driver

By Brian Chase

The California personal injury law firm, Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, along with the nationwide anonymous crime reporting service, WeTip, are asking people to submit anonymous information about an appalling Los Angeles hit-and-run incident that occurred on January 19. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the Hit-and-Run Reward Program website, or through the Hit-and-Run Reward hotline (800-6-Hit-N-Run).

A reward of $1,000 is offered to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of a driver who committed a hit-and-run that killed one man in the Hawthorne area of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Times report calls this strange incident “disturbing,” as it turned from a single hit-and-run to a double hit-and-run mob beating.

The event took place at 9:30 p.m. on January 19, on busy Crenshaw Boulevard near the 105 freeway. The victim of the accident was first hit by a gray or white minivan that promptly fled the scene and then again by another driver who also fled the scene. A good samaritan woman who witnessed the event ran to the aid of the victim and was then hit by a third vehicle. The driver of the third vehicle got out to help but was immediately assaulted and robbed by a group of angry witnesses before he managed to return to his vehicle and drive away.
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