California Injury Blog
A man and two women were arrested in connection with a deadly Santa Ana hit-and-run crash. According to an NBC news report, the incident occurred the evening of January 24 at the intersection Fairview Street and Dahl Lane. Police say a man was walking west across Fairview when a vehicle driving south struck him. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver, Ramiro Garcia, fled the scene and drove nearly two miles before crashing in the 1900 block of Chestnut Avenue. Garcia then took off on foot. He was apprehended and booked on felony hit-and-run charges. Garcia’s sister, Rosa Garcia and sister-in-law, Janette Cuevas, were also arrested on charges of being accessories to a felony and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family members of the man who was killed in this hit-and-run crash. We offer our heartfelt condolences to them.
Leaving the Scene of a Crash
Based on this news report, it appears that the pedestrian was crossing the street when the driver struck him and then took off without even checking on the critically injured victim. Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a), it is illegal for a motorist to leave the scene of an injury or fatal crash. It is a criminal felony to do so.
In addition, motorists are required to exchange pertinent information with other parties involved in the incident and most importantly, render aid to the injured. In this particular case, the driver did none of the above. He simply took off, leaving the fatally injured pedestrian lying in the roadway. Outrageous!
Holding Wrongdoers Accountable
We are relieved to note that the hit-and-run driver has been apprehended. We hope he and the others who aided him will be brought to justice.
Families that have lost loved ones in hit-and-run accidents often struggle to deal with the emotional and financial burdens they must bear in the aftermath of such a traumatic event. In such cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love and companionship.
An experienced Orange County hit and run lawyer will also be able to advise families about how their own auto insurance policy might apply to a case where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.