California Injury Blog

Published on: December 2, 2010

Jackie Autry Involved in Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Palm Springs

By Brian Chase

Jackie Autry, widow of the original Anaheim Angels owner Gene Autry, was involved in a fatal pedestrian accident after she struck and killed Jesus Cardova Diaz, 50, on a Palm Springs roadway. According a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred the evening of November 25, 2010 on Sunrise Way near Ramon Road in Palm Springs. Based on preliminary investigations, police have determined that Diaz was not walking in a marked crosswalk and that Autry was not speeding in the 35-mph zone. Autry said she did not see the homeless man who was crossing the street with a group of homeless people. An investigation is ongoing.
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Published on: December 2, 2010

Report Reveals Serious Issues Affecting Seniors Today

By Brian Chase

In the not too distant past, most nursing homes in this country were family-run affairs. The people running the nursing home lived and worked in the community, and the homes were places where seniors and their families could count on compassionate care. Nursing home neglect and abuse were unthinkable. According to a recent report by the American Association for Justice entitled, “Standing Up for Seniors: How the Civil Justice System Protects Elderly Americans,” this situation is changing drastically and senior abuse is on the rise. One of the main reasons is that an ever increasing number of America’s nursing homes are being run by corporations who are often more interested in profits than people. The result is that the corporations cut staffs, services, and standards of care to save some money.
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Published on: December 1, 2010

Woman Killed in Los Angeles Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Martha Pena, 52, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident when a vehicle crashed into a restaurant where she was eating. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the fatal car accident occurred at Troy’s Burgers at York Boulevard and Armadale Avenue in Highland Park the evening of November 27, 2010. Pena was inside the restaurant with her family when the car crashed into the building. According to a witness, the car struck Pena throwing her about 20 feet. Pena’s 20-year-old son, who was also hit, has been listed in critical condition and two others suffered minor injuries. The driver, a 19-year-old man, passed a field sobriety test. But officials say he could still be cited or charged.
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Published on: November 30, 2010

Motorcyclist Killed in Orange County Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Kenneth Brant, 61, was killed in an Orange County car accident after his motorcycle was struck head-on by another vehicle. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred on the Ortega Highway near Lake Elsinore, the morning of November 28, 2010. Brant was travelling east on the highway when a 1980 BMW heading west hit him head-on.

Brant died from his injuries. The driver of the BMW, who has not been identified, also suffered injuries. California Highway Patrol officials are considering filing manslaughter charges against him. Investigators say drugs or alcohol do not seem to be involved, but are not sure what caused the driver of the BMW to cross over into opposing lanes of traffic.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Kenneth Brant. My thoughts and prayers are with them following this horrific motorcycle accident.

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Published on: November 29, 2010

Los Angeles Car Accident Kills Elderly Woman

By Brian Chase

An 82-year-old woman was killed in a Los Angeles car accident, which also resulted in seven additional injuries. According to a news report in The Los Angeles Daily News, the fatal car accident occurred at Avenue K and 20th Street East in Lancaster the night of November 25, 2010. Ziola Weipp, 39, and Lorena Sameron, 34, were both injured when their respective vehicles collided at the street intersection. The elderly woman killed in this car accident was a passenger in Weipp’s vehicle.
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Published on: November 27, 2010

Fresno Area Car Accident Injures Two

By Brian Chase

Desiree Harris, 28 and Brittany Van Zile, 26, were seriously injured in a Fresno area car accident the afternoon of November 21, 2010. According to The Merced Sun-Star, the injury car accident occurred on Highway 145 near Madera. The two Merced women were travelling in a 2005 Nissan Sentra when a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire veered into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into the Nissan. The Pontiac’s driver, Honorio Tecpile, 21, had apparently drifted off the road and overcorrected before entering oncoming traffic lanes. Both women suffered major injuries, as did a female passenger in the Pontiac. Tecpile and his passenger Esquel Piepile, 18, sustained moderate injuries. An investigation is ongoing.
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Published on: November 27, 2010

Arrest Made in Fatal Riverside DUI Collision

By Brian Chase

Michael Daniel Noreikas Jr., 28, was killed in a Riverside car accident, which officials say, was caused by his brother, 25-year-old Daniel Noreikas, who was driving under the influence. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, Daniel Noreikas was driving his 2003 Ford F-150 pickup truck on Olivewood Avenue near Panorama Road early morning on November 20, 2010 when he lost control. The pickup hit a curb and rolled over. Michael Noreikas was transported to a local hospital where he died. Daniel Noreikas was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.

I offer my deepest condolences to the Noreikas family for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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Published on: November 24, 2010

Fatal Los Angeles Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Two people were killed and several others were injured in a Los Angeles car accident after a minivan and a truck carrying inmates from a Los Angeles County fire crew collided head-on. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the fatal car accident occurred on Highway 138 near Gorman the afternoon of November 23, 2010.
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Published on: November 23, 2010

3 Steps to Find The Right California Personal Injury Lawyer For You

By Brian Chase

So many California personal injury law firms write about recent California product defects or traffic accidents, outlining reasons why a personal injury lawyer may be the right way to get the money that you need. But how can you be sure that you are working with the right California law firm? We intend to help you learn how to find a personal injury lawyer for your case. There are five steps you need to take.
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Published on: November 23, 2010

San Diego Car Accident Injures Pedestrian

By Brian Chase

A pedestrian was injured in a San Diego car accident, which police say, occurred after a driver made an illegal U-turn. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the injury car accident happened at the intersection of Rosecrans and Kurtz Streets the night of November 20, 2010 in the Midway District of San Diego. The pedestrian, described only as a man in his 40s, was crossing Rosecrans when the driver of a Ford Ranger made an illegal U-turn and struck him. The man sustained a broken femur and was transported to an area hospital. It is unclear from the report if the truck driver was cited for the accident. An investigation into the incident is pending.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this San Diego pedestrian accident. I wish him a complete and speedy recovery from his injuries.
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