California Injury Blog
Raymundo Pineda Allquisiran, 30, Sandy Patterson, 54, and a 41-year-old male driver of a Nissan coupe were injured in a Santa Ana car accident that occurred after a police chase. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the head-on crash happened on McFadden Avenue near the Santa Ana River Trail, the morning of March 2, 2012. Officials had apparently noticed something suspicious about the two male occupants of a Cadillac Escalade and attempted to pull the vehicle over. Allquisiran, the driver of the Escalade fled, driving through stop signs, before crossing into oncoming traffic and striking the Nissan.
The Nissan’s driver, a Placentia resident, suffered a dislocated hip, fractured right leg and a concussion. Allquisiran, suffered a dislocated shoulder and was arrested for felony evading and multiple drug related charges involving rock cocaine. The passenger in the Escalade, Patterson, sustained a broken ankle and was arrested on similar charges.
I wish the injured victims of this Orange County accident the very best for a complete and speedy recovery. Please keep the driver of the Nissan, the innocent victim who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, in your thoughts and prayers.
Orange County Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 11 people were killed and 1,359 were injured in Santa Ana car accidents. During that same year, Orange County car accidents claimed 141 lives and injured 13,373 people.
Causes and Compensation Issues
In this incident, it is not entirely clear as to what suspicions led to this police chase. But, it is indeed fortunate that no one was killed considering the intensity of the collision. Any time innocent bystanders are injured in a police chase, it is important to look into whether the police officers made the right decision. Most police agencies in California have their own set of policies and procedures when it comes to pursuits. The question here is whether these officers correctly followed their own department’s protocols?
The driver of the Nissan coupe, who was severely injured, can seek compensation from the at-fault driver who entered into opposing traffic lanes. In addition, he may be able to seek compensation from the police officers and their employer, the police department, if it is determined that they did not follow proper procedures. An experienced Santa Ana personal injury lawyer can better advise victims and their families in such cases about their legal rights and options. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a governmental agency must be filed within 180 days.