Accident Kills Veteran Fresno Police Officer
Two men lost their lives in a car accident just east of Fresno on February 4, 2019. The incident occurred around 5:00 in the afternoon along Highway 180 in the vicinity of McCall Avenue. A driver of a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling eastbound along the westbound lanes of the highway and reportedly crashed into five cars while weaving through traffic. The Chevrolet continued for a short time before striking a Dodge Ram pickup truck head-on. Occupants in the other five vehicles suffered minor to moderate injuries. Sadly, the drivers of the Dodge and Chevrolet passed away at the scene. Officials from the Fresno County Coroner’s Office have identified the decedents as 48-year-old Phia Vang and 33-year-old Cameron Pryor, both residents of Fresno. We send our sympathy to the loved ones of Mr. Vang and Mr. Pryor as they are mourning the loss of their family member and friend.
Accident Investigation
The exact cause of the auto accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Investigators from CHP are unsure whether drug or alcohol use was involved in the car wreck. A CHP traffic collision report usually takes one to two weeks to be processed. When an accident involves a fatality, this timeline can be extended under certain circumstances.
Watch YouTube Video: Fresno Police Officer Killed in Wrong-Way Crash, Police Say. The short news clip by CBS47 Fresno reports on the loss of a well-loved police officer in a wrong-way accident.
Loved One Forever Remembered
Phia Vang was a beloved member of his family and the local community. As a 26-year veteran of the Fresno Police Department, he was a dedicated police officer and role model who served his community with honor and respect. He worked hard his entire life to provide for his wife and four children. A GoFundMe page has been created to help support Mr. Vang’s family during this difficult time.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions comprise 2 percent of all traffic collisions. Conversely, these collisions often result in serious injuries or death. Some of the ways a head-on collision may occur include the following:
- Intersections: Drivers who fail to clear an intersection before making a left turn can strike an oncoming vehicle head-on.
- Rural Roads: Driving along a rural road can be dangerous. Drivers on these roads can overtake a slower vehicle by entering the oncoming traffic lane unsafely. In other instances, drivers may think there is no other traffic and fail to stay in their lane. Either of these situations can contribute to a wrong-way car accident.
- Wrong Way Driving: Those who drive the wrong direction on a one-way street or enter an exit ramp on a freeway often cause head-on collisions. Driver error is involved in most cases such as drunk driving or reckless driving. In other cases, insufficient roadway signage may fail to alert a motorist that they are entering the highway the wrong way. When this happens, a claim may be filed against the government entity responsible for maintaining that road for subsequent injuries and damages.
Wrongful Death Claims
In California, wrongful death happens when a person loses their life due to the misconduct or negligence or another party or entity. This can be the result of a motor vehicle collision or other serious accident. Surviving family members of a decedent or those financially dependent on the deceased may file a wrongful death claim to recover compensation for damages incurred. For more information on who can file for wrongful death, watch the below video. If you have questions regarding your case, reach out to an experienced wrongful death attorney in Fresno.
Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim
Wrongful death claims seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages from the party responsible for a family member’s death. Economic damages may include reimbursement of a loved one’s funeral and burial as well as household services, benefits, gifts, and financial support provided by the deceased person. Non-economic damages cover the loss of affection, guidance, companionship, and love by the deceased. While no amount of money can replace the loss of someone you love, it can help a family recover emotionally and financially from their loss.
How a Law Firm Can Help
A Fresno personal injury attorney who is experienced in handling wrongful death cases can help a family who lost a loved one by dealing with the aftermath of the collision. The attorney can investigate further into the wrongful death car accident to properly determine liability. By doing so, the injury lawyer can prepare a strong case for financial compensation. In this way, the family can recover expenses and the pain and suffering they endured as a result of their loved one’s death.
Fresno Wrongful Death Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno wrongful death attorney. The death of a loved one can present many daunting challenges, especially when that loss was caused by the fault of another person or entity. If you have lost a family member in an accident caused by someone else, please call me anytime to receive compassionate, free and friendly advice at (559) 377-7676 in the Fresno area or toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
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Visit our Verdicts and Settlements page to see a list of cases our firm has handled in the past and their conclusions.
Accident Kills Veteran Fresno Police Officer: AutoAccident.com
Photograph Source: By “StockSnap” via Pixabay / Accident Kills Veteran Fresno Police Officer
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