Crescent City Residents Killed in Del Norte Crash
Reports from California Highway Patrol (CHP) state that two people lost their lives after being involved in a multiple-vehicle car accident in Del Norte County on Sunday, December 9, 2018. The collision took place on a highway location between Crescent City and McKinleyville and left six people with injuries ranging from minor to fatal in severity. The fatally injured individuals were identified by the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office as 60-year-old man Jose Ramirez and 18-year-old woman Rubi Lopez-Gonzalez, both of whom were residents of Crescent City.
My condolences are with Mr. Ramirez and Ms. Gonzalez’s families and loved ones after they’ve endured such a tragic loss.
Collision Information
CHP stated that the crash took place during the afternoon along Highway 101 close to Mill Creek Campground south of Crescent City. A Saturn sedan carrying both Gonzalez and Ramirez as well as a driver and additional passenger had been traveling north on 101 near mile marker 18.99 when it veered into the opposing traffic lane. The Saturn traveled directly into the path of a Winnebago motorhome heading south on the highway and the two vehicles collided head-on at high speeds.
Car Accident Injuries
Medical officials who responded to the accident stated that Ramirez was found with severe injuries and sadly lost his life at the collision scene. Gonzalez was also discovered with serious injuries and was taken to a hospital in Redding where she sadly could not recover and eventually passed away. The driver of the Saturn was found with major trauma and a young male passenger reportedly suffered moderate injuries. Both were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The driver and passenger of the motorhome, both residents of McKinleyville, suffered minor injuries during the crash. Whether or not they were taken to a hospital after the accident was not reported.
Investigation
Officers have reported that all parties involved in the accident had been wearing seatbelts when the crash occurred. Additionally, CHP indicated that it was raining at the time of the collision. The highway was closed off to traffic for around one hour while authorities investigated the area. However, the accident remains under investigation and officials have not mentioned any suspected causes.
Wrongful Death Damages
After a fatal crash, families can be left devastated. The emotions that people go through after learning their loved one has died are often intense and confusing. These feelings can be overwhelming and it often takes time to learn how to cope with them. Fatal accidents also often cause families serious financial hardship which can make dealing with grieving even more traumatic. However, the dependents and family members of people who are killed in preventable accidents are often able to claim payments from negligent parties and/or insurance companies in order to cover their losses and help them recover after such a tragic event.
Recovering money for fatal accident damages is done by filing a “wrongful death claim.” These cases can cover a wide variety of losses and the specifics can vary widely depending on the details of an accident. The best thing to do if you want information about fatal accident cases is to call a Crescent City wrongful death lawyer. To learn more about finding the right attorney, you can watch the video below:
More by Ed Smith, Crescent City Wrongful Death Attorney
- Crescent City Trucking Crash
- What is a Crescent City Personal Injury Lawyer?
- All About Crescent City
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Crescent City
I’m Ed Smith, a Crescent City wrongful death lawyer. Car accidents often have serious consequences. If a fatal crash has affected your family, please get in touch with me at (800) 404-5400, or locally at (707) 564-1900 so I can give you free, friendly advice.
I’ve practiced wrongful death and major personal injury law in Crescent City for 36 years. See how I’ve helped my clients by viewing my settlements and verdicts and browsing reviews of my work on:
I’m one of the California members of the national US lawyers’ group for attorneys with a prior trial verdict or settlement worth at least 1 million dollars. This group is called the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
My website is the leading information source for personal injury topics and local car accidents in Northern CA – AutoAccident.com.
Photo: ab/Del Norte Crash Kills Crescent City Residents
:ms [cs 739] cv