Merced Teen Killed in Car Accident
A party of two, including a teen from Merced, were traveling together by car in Atwater on Saturday, December 9, 2017. This would, devastatingly, be the last drive the two would enjoy with each other due to an unexpected car accident.
Our sincerest prayers and thoughts are with the loved ones of Mr. Casares and Ms. Rodriguez who lost their lives in this senseless accident.
Accident Details
An elderly woman was driving her BMW westbound along Juniper Avenue in the vicinity of Valley Street at approximately 2:23 pm. At the same time, an Atwater man was driving his Acura Integra eastbound along Juniper Avenue. The elderly woman allegedly conducted a turning maneuver and collided with the side of the Acura. The impact of the collision propelled the Acura into a concrete wall along the southeast corner of Juniper Avenue and Valley Street. The BMW sustained mild damage while the Acura suffered severe body damage that required emergency assistance at the scene.
Nature of Injuries
Officials from the Atwater Police Department and Merced County Fire were immediately called to the scene of the car accident. Upon arrival, they located the Acura allegedly wedged into a cement wall. Emergency crews attempted to extricate the two parties of the Acura and render CPR but, unfortunately, they were unable to save their lives due to the severity of their injuries.
Identities of Victims
The Merced County Sheriff’s Department identified the two parties of the fatal car accident as 18-year-old Jessica Rodriguez from Merced and 20-year-old Luis Casares from Atwater.
Cause of Fatal Car Accident
The Atwater Police Department is the law enforcement agency in charge of the fatal car accident investigation. Authorities released in a statement on December 11, 2017, that the elderly woman driving the BMW, was “at-fault” for the fatal crash by probable cause of “failing to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic“. Alcohol or drugs were not believed to have contributed to the accident, however, a Traffic Collision Report will be sent to the Merced County District Attorney’s Office for review. The District Attorney’s Office is the agency in charge of the standard procedure in fatal collisions. It will be up to this agency whether any criminal charges will be filed against the elderly woman for her conduct leading up to the crash.
Loved Ones Forever Remembered
The unforeseen passing of Jessica Rodriguez and Luis Casares has impacted their loved ones and members of their local community. The two parties were former students of Buhach High School in Atwater. The loss of the two parties has tremendously affected current students from the high school. Additional staff support has been provided for them to speak with teachers or grief counselors. Cheerleaders from the high school have decided to offer all of their proceeds from a September fundraiser to support the families of both parties with any incurred losses of their family members. A fundraiser has also been organized to be held at the Chipotle along R Street in Merced for those who would like to donate. The cities of Atwater and Merced are truly “close-knit” communities and have shown their support during this unexpected tragedy.
Related Content by Ed Smith:
- Merced Car Accident Lawyer
- What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
- Most Common Causes of Wrongful Death
- Wrongful Death Claims in California
Merced Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced wrongful death lawyer. The devastating news of a loved one’s passing can be a never-ending nightmare to those affected by such tragedies. If a member of your family has passed away due to the negligence of another party or entity, please contact me at (209) 227-1931 for free, friendly advice. You may also contact me toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
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