California Injury Blog
Jose Cuevas, 39, was killed in a Los Angeles car crash, which officials say, may have involved street racing. According to news report on KABC and CBS Los Angeles, the fatal collision occurred in the 200 block of West Manchester Avenue the night of April 30, 2013. Police say the driver of a Pontiac was racing a Dodge Charger that was traveling the wrong way on Broadway.
The Dodge slammed into a pickup truck and the Pontiac collided with a Saturn that was being driven by Cuevas. The drivers of the Dodge and the pickup truck were transported to area hospitals. Police are still looking for the driver of the Pontiac and two passengers in the Dodge who fled the scene on foot. In total, eight cars and one bicyclist were involved in the two collisions. A third person was also transported to the hospital, but the nature and extent of his or her injuries is not known. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact LAPD’s South Traffic Division at 323-421-2577.
Violation of Laws
Based on this news report, it appears that the fatal crash involved a driver who was racing on a public roadway. California Vehicle Code section 23109 (a) states: “A person shall not engage in a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway. As used in this section, a motor vehicle speed contest includes a motor vehicle race against another vehicle, a clock, or other timing device. For purposes of this section, an event in which the time to cover a prescribed route of more than 20 miles is measured, but where the vehicle does not exceed the speed limits, is not a speed contest.”
In addition, the driver of the Pontiac also left the scene of the crash, which is illegal under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a). Under California law, motorists are required to stop immediately at the scene of a crash, exchange information with all the parties involved and most importantly render aid to the victims. In this case, the driver did none of the above, but took off leaving several injured victims at the scene. Appalling!
Holding Wrongdoers Accountable
I certainly hope officials are able to apprehend this driver and bring him or her to justice. If you have any information about this incident, please visit our Hit-and-Run Reward Program’s web site at www.hitandrunreward.com to offer an anonymous tip and to become eligible for a $1,000 reward.
Injured victims and families of deceased victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise victims and their families how their own auto insurance policy might apply to an incident where a hit-and-run driver is not found or where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.