Vehicle Kills Moped Rider on Esplanade
A moped rider was killed on March 6 in Chico when he was struck by an alleged drunk driver. The accident happened along Esplanade near the Shasta Elementary School around 12:39 a.m. Officers with the Chico Police Department said they responded to the report where the driver of a pickup was going south on the roadway and struck the moped rider in the rear.
Drunk Driver That Struck Moped Driver Fled the Scene
The moped rider, identified as 22-year-old Terry Nilsen, Jr., a resident of Chico, was ejected from his vehicle by the impact of the crash. The pickup driver fled the scene even though the moped was trapped underneath his truck. A trail of fluid and debris as well as roadway scuff marks led police to the vehicle, which was found in the Amber Grove subdivision, around two miles away.
Drunk Driver Arrested in Chico Fatality Accident
Damage sustained by the pickup matched that found at the scene of the accident. The reportedly drunk driver was located nearby and cooperated with police investigating the fatal accident. He was subsequently placed under arrest for DUI as well as hit-and-run resulting in injuries. The charge was changed later to vehicular manslaughter when the moped rider passed away at the hospital. The suspect is being held without bail at the Butte County jail.
Authorities Seek Information About Fatal Accident
The investigation into the drunk driver crash required the Major Accident Investigative Team to go to three different locations. This caused the northern section of Esplanade to be blocked to traffic for five hours or more. Residents in the Amber Grove subdivision and north Esplanade are being asked to look at their security camera footage from 12:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. to find out if the pickup was captured dragging the moped. If someone has video evidence or additional information that could help, call (530) 879-4979 (Traffic Unit at the Chico Police Department) to leave your name and phone number.
Filing a Claim for Wrongful Death
Over the years, our team of injury lawyers has successfully resolved many wrongful death cases for clients at our firm at AutoAccident.com. Countless families in Butte County have come to us for help when a loved one has died due to a wrongful death. We treat our clients like family and do our best to help them.
Filing a wrongful death claim helps family members avoid financial hardship caused by their loved one’s death. While we understand the family’s anguish will never be relieved, it provides some measure of security and consolation that the at-fault party is being held responsible for their actions.
Damages Recoverable in a Wrongful Death
Compensation recovered in a wrongful death claim can include:
- Their loved one’s funeral and burial expenses are recovered.
- The decedent’s salary or income up until the age of retirement, including any benefits of the job, may be claimed.
- Loss of inheritance may be claimed in some instances.
- Loss of consortium, affection, and emotional support may be claimed by the surviving spouse.
- Children who received at least half their support from the decedent may recover compensation for loss of guidance and nurturing.
- A survival action may be filed if the loved one lived for a time before expiring, which represents the personal injury claim the decedent could have filed had they lived.
- The family may ask the jury to award punitive damages if the loved one’s death was due to an egregious act or was intentional. Punitive damages are often much higher than those awarded in a wrongful death and are provided as punishment for the offender.
Chico Wrongful Death Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I’m a Chico wrongful death lawyer. When your family has lost a loved one because of a negligent driver, they may be able to place a wrongful death claim. You are welcome to contact our injury lawyers for free and friendly advice at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also reach us online.
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Photo attribution: Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
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