Out-of-Control Driver in North Sacramento Kills Two
A hit-and-run driver caused two accident fatalities in North Sacramento on October 4 after losing control of their vehicle. The collision occurred shortly after 6:00 p.m. along I-80 westbound near Madison Avenue in the Foothill Farms area. The accident is under investigation to determine the cause and locate the driver who fled the scene.
People Outside Their Vehicles Die Due to Hit-and-Run Driver
According to the report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), they received a call about the crash and, upon arrival ascertained that a green GMC pickup was heading north on the highway, lost control and struck a Ford F-150 and Nissan Sentra. Both the Nissan and Ford were parked on the shoulder on the right-hand side and were disabled. However, two Sacramento men, one age 26 and the other age 63, were standing near the vehicles and got struck by the out-of-control pickup.
Driver Flees Scene of Accident
At that point, the GMC pickup crossed back into the traffic and hit a westbound Honda Pilot. The driver of the GMC pickup then exited their vehicle and fled the scene toward the Scandia Fun Center, which is on Hillsdale Boulevard.
Two Die and Passenger in Hit-and-Run Vehicle Hospitalized
The Sacramento man, age 23, perished at the accident scene. The older man was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 6:40 p.m. A passenger who had been riding in the GMC suffered serious injuries in the crash and was also transported to a hospital. CHP authorities are investigating the crash to determine the cause.
Hit-and-Run Driver Sought by Authorities
Authorities are actively searching for the hit-and-run driver, who was described as a balding tattooed man who was wearing jeans with no shirt. Those with information about this accident can phone (916) 348-2300, which is the North Sacramento CHP office in North Highlands.
Losing a Loved One Due to Negligence
Losing a loved one is difficult, causing feelings of grief and anger. It is even worse when the loved one’s demise did not have to happen and was caused by a negligent driver. We understand the pain you feel and want the fleeing driver to be brought to justice. We also believe that you should not bear the financial loss his actions caused.
Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent motorist allows the family to be compensated for their loss and makes the at-fault driver assume financial responsibility. It is filed by the following family members:
- A spouse or putative spouse
- Children of the deceased
- Stepchildren of the deceased, if they are supported by the decedent
- Siblings of the decedent if there is no spouse or children
- Parents of the decedent
Increased Incidence of Hit-and-Run Accidents in Sacramento
Over the past decade, the number of hit-and-run accidents has increased even though this is illegal and comes with stiff penalties. Some of the common reasons a driver flees from the accident site are:
- The driver is inebriated and does not want to interact with the police.
- The vehicle was stolen.
- Drug paraphernalia is in the vehicle.
- The motorist does not have a driver’s license.
- The vehicle is not properly insured.
- The driver panics and leaves.
Apprehending a Fleeing Driver
The police will investigate the case and use leads to apprehend the hit-and-run driver. Our firm has worked on many cases where the driver fled the scene. When this happens, we dispatch our investigators to the scene to gather information about the case.
We search for paint smears or items from the vehicle that are crucial in our search. Our investigators also question witnesses to see if they could help identify the hit-and-run driver or if they saw the license plate number. Many times, even a small fraction of the number will lead to the fleeing driver.
What If the Fleeing Driver Cannot Be Found?
On occasion, the driver who left the scene cannot be located. In this situation, we work with our clients to use their own auto insurance to compensate them for their financial loss. It is possible to use an add-on policy called underinsured/uninsured that is offered to all motorists in California when they buy auto insurance. This takes into account that many motorists either do not have insurance or have too little. If the client or anyone in their household carries this rider, they will be able to use it. Premiums are not increased when it is used.
Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. If a negligent driver caused the death of your loved one, the family may want to find out about filing a claim for wrongful death. You are welcome to call us for our free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also contact us online.
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Since 1982, my team of injury lawyers and I have successfully helped many Northern Californians to get the compensation they deserve in wrongful deaths, all types of traffic accident injuries, and more.
Photo attribution: Photo by David Tomaseti on Unsplash
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