California Injury Blog
Austin Caldera, 16, died in a pedestrian accident in Stanton after the car veered off the roadway and hit the teen who was walking on a sidewalk. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred near Beach Boulevard and Katella Avenue the morning of July 27, 2016. Police said the driver of the car was going north on Beach Boulevard, south of Katella Avenue, when the vehicle left the roadway for an unknown reason and struck Caldera who was walking on the sidewalk.
He was transported to an area hospital where he died from his injuries. Investigators say there are no indications that drugs or alcohol played a part in this crash. The driver remained at the scene. No arrests or citations have been made pending an official investigation.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family members of Austin Caldera for their devastating loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2013 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person was killed and 13 were injured in pedestrian accidents in the city of Stanton. In Orange County as a whole, 52 fatalities and 784 injuries were reported due to pedestrian accidents during the same year.
What Caused This Tragic Crash?
Based on this news report, it appears that the car left the roadway, went up the sidewalk and struck the teenager. There are a number of unanswered questions here. What caused the driver to lose control of the car? Was he or she under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs? Was the driver traveling at an excessive rate of speed? Was he or she distracted or inattentive at the time? Was there a vehicle defect or mechanical malfunction in the vehicle that caused the driver to lose control? We trust officials are still looking into these and other factors in order to determine precisely what caused this fatal crash.
Fault and Liability
If the driver in this case is determined to have been at fault, he or she can be held liable for the teen’s wrongful death. If a vehicle defect caused the car to go out of control and strike the teen, the automaker or manufacturer of the vehicle part that failed could also be held accountable. It is critical in these cases to ensure that the vehicle is preserved so an expert can thoroughly inspect it for defects, malfunctions and other evidence. Victims’ families would be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.