Red-Light Runner Who Causes Pedestrian Fatality May Have Been Drinking
A collision caused by a drunk driver in Sacramento on June 23 resulted in a pedestrian fatality and injuries to the motorist and his passenger. The accident was reported at about 3:34 p.m. on Stockton Boulevard and Lawrence Drive. According to the Sacramento Police Department spokesman, the driver, who was in a sedan, ran a red light and was subsequently struck by a minivan, which caused the vehicle to crash into the pedestrian.
Pedestrian Passes Away at Hospital
The police spokesman reported that critical injuries were suffered by the pedestrian, who was taken to a hospital. Unfortunately, the pedestrian expired due to the extent of their injuries. The red-light runner and a passenger suffered minor injuries and were also transported to a hospital for treatment. The driver of the minivan was uninjured in the pedestrian fatality accident. The identity of the pedestrian will not be released by the County Coroner’s Office until the family has been notified.
Driver Arrested in Pedestrian Fatality Accident
The driver of the vehicle that ran the red light was identified as a man, age 76. Once the hospital cleared the driver, he was taken into custody by police and transported to the main jail for Sacramento County. He faces charges of vehicular manslaughter and DUI.
Area Closed to Traffic During Investigation Into the Pedestrian Fatality Accident
Stockton Boulevard was shut down from Fruitridge Road to 21st Avenue while an investigation by police detectives into the pedestrian fatality was conducted. Sacramento police are asking that those with information about the case call Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-4357 or the dispatch center at (916) 808-5471.
Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers
Drunk drivers cause many fatalities and serious injuries each year on the nation’s roads. When a family member dies as the result of a drunk driver, they may be able to place a wrongful death claim to recover damages for their loss. Although it will not help with the grief and sense of loss that they feel, it will help hold the at-fault driver responsible for a pedestrian fatality and bring some sense of closure to family members.
Punitive Damages Following a Pedestrian Fatality
Unlike some other states, there is no cap on punitive damages in California. Punitive damages can be requested by the family through a survival action. They are meant as a punishment for the offender for committing either an intentional act of harm or one that exhibited despicable conduct and to deter others. Jury awards for punitive damages are frequently much higher than those for a wrongful death and are awarded in addition.
Compensation in a Wrongful Death
Family members may join together to file for wrongful death. Some of the areas in which they may recover damages include:
- The cost of the family member’s funeral and burial are recoverable.
- The wages the decedent would have earned up to their time of retirement can be recovered, along with bonuses and additional perks of the job.
- Loss of inheritance can be claimed.
- Loss of consortium and the love and companionship between spouses is recoverable.
- Loss of guidance and nurturing can be recovered for children in the family.
Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, and I am a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. When your loved one died due to a negligent driver, we have compassionate, free and friendly advice to offer you. Phone us at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We can also be reached online.
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We’ve helped the people of Northern California get fair compensation for injuries suffered in a traffic accident, by a defective product, government negligence, and in wrongful deaths since 1982.
Helpful information about how we’ve assisted others in getting the compensation they deserve following an accident are included below:
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