Antioch Man Dies in Hit and Run Accident
A man and his dog from Antioch were killed in a recent hit and run accident on a notoriously dangerous stretch of roadway in Bay Point.
What is known about the accident?
On 6 June, a man was apparently walking his dog along Port Chicago Highway near Lakewood Drive in Bay Point when an unknown vehicle struck both the man and the dog. The car then fled the scene of the accident.
A passing car later saw the man and his dog laying on the road and called 911. Police, fire, and emergency medical services arrived on the scene shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, both the man and his dog were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
The man has since been identified as 41-year-old Jason Gibson of Antioch.
Accident Under Investigation
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is actively investigating the accident and seeking any witnesses that may have seen the accident occur or who may have seen a vehicle fleeing the scene. The CHP is also asking local car repair shops to report vehicles with extensive front-end damage.
The authorities do not know at this point in time whether drugs or alcohol were involved, but they do believe that speed was a factor. Local residents heard loud engine noises before the crash, leading the authorities to believe people had been racing at the time of the accident.
About Port Chicago Highway
Port Chicago Highway is known to locals as a dangerous thoroughfare, especially in the evening hours. It is a long, darkened stretch of road with few turn-offs. Many people use it to drag race in the evening hours. Additionally, there are only a few businesses and homes along the road, which means fewer witnesses to criminal activity.
This makes finding liable parties in similar accidents extremely difficult.
Recent Hit and Runs on Port Chicago Highway
This was actually the second serious hit and run accident along Port Chicago Highway in a little more than two months. On 31 March, a man ran a red light and T-boned another vehicle. He then fled his vehicle on foot.
Despite nobody being seriously injured in this accident, the driver will likely still face criminal charges for fleeing the scene of the accident. According to the CHP, the responsible driver in this accident was also speeding.
Civil Versus Criminal Court Cases
If the responsible party is found, he will likely face criminal charges for hitting the man and then driving away. The family of the deceased man can also pursue a civil lawsuit to receive damages from the accident.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
An Antioch wrongful death lawyer can help in these types of cases by representing the family in civil court. They hire experts and help determine the full extent of accident-related costs and subsequent loss of a loved one. This can include lost wages, funeral costs, and pain and suffering.
Antioch Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith and I am an Antioch car accident lawyer. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident or have been injured in one, give me a call at (925) 428-5220 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach me free of charge at (800) 404-5400.
I am an experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorney, having practiced these areas exclusively for 34 years. You can see some of my results by looking at my Past Verdicts and Settlements page.
I have won million dollar settlements and verdicts in some of these cases, allowing me to be a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
You can hear from others about their experiences working with me by looking at my reviews on Yelp, Avvo, and Google.
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Image: Wikimedia Commons
Fatal hit-and-run victim who died with dog identified as Antioch man
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