California Injury Blog
Oanh Tranh, 47, of Costa Mesa, was killed in an Irvine pedestrian accident after a vehicle hit her on the sidewalk.
According to a news report in the Orange County Register, the fatal accident occurred the morning of December 10, 2014 on Bryan Avenue near Patriot Way.
Officials said a 27-year-old man driving a silver Kia Rio crashed into the woman who was walking on a sidewalk on Bryan Avenue.
The driver was found between
15 and 20 feet from the car on a patch of grass. He was taken to a regional trauma center with serious injuries. Tranh died at the scene despite firefighters’ attempts to resuscitate her. The driver is expected to survive.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family members and friends of Oanh Tranh for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to the California Highway Patrol’s 2012 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 32 injuries reported due to pedestrian accidents in Irvine.
In Orange County as a whole, 47 people died and 808 were injured due to pedestrian accidents during the same year.
What Caused This Fatal Crash?
Based on this news report, it appears that the woman was walking on a sidewalk when she was hit by the vehicle. What’s not clear here is how or why the driver lost control and struck the woman who was legally walking on the sidewalk.
Was he under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs? Was he driving at an excessive rate of speed? Was he distracted or inattentive at the time?
We hope officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely how or why this fatal crash occurred.
Fault and Liability
In this case, if the driver is determined to have been negligent or at fault, he could be held liable for the victim’s wrongful death. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased car accident victims can file what is known as a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages such as medical and funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love and companionship.
Injured victims or families would also be well advised to contact an experienced Irvine personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.