Fatal Car Accidents in El Dorado County
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) says that they are investigating three separate fatal car accidents that took place in El Dorado County over the weekend of Friday, February 1 to Saturday, February 2, 2019. The first took place on Friday night, the second on Saturday morning and the third happened after 9:00 p.m. on Saturday. Out of the three fatally injured individuals, only one has been identified by officials. This woman was identified as Kaitlyn Smart, a 21-year-old resident of Santa Cruz. More information about the other decedents will be released after their families are notified. My condolences are extended to Ms. Smart’s loved ones as well as the family and friends of the other two individuals.
First Crash
The first accident happened at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday. A female resident of the small town of El Dorado was driving west on Pleasant Valley Road to the east of Bodega Way. Police say that the weather was rainy and the road was wet at the time of the crash. For reasons that are not currently understood, the woman’s vehicle drove off of the northern edge of the road and struck two paddle markers. This caused the vehicle to overturn.
It was reported that the woman had not been wearing a seat belt and that she was seriously injured during the crash. Tragically, responders say she succumbed to her trauma at the accident scene.
Second Crash
The second accident happened the next morning at about 2:30 a.m. Kaitlyn Smart had been a passenger in a 2006 Subaru Outback driven by another 21-year-old woman. The Subaru was driving northbound on North Shingle Road near Landes Lane when the driver lost control. The vehicle spun out on the rain-slickened asphalt and traveled over the median. The car eventually spun off of the road and collided with a tree.
El Dorado County Firefighters say that they were able to free the driver from the wrecked vehicle after an “extensive extrication.” The woman was airlifted to a nearby hospital and was in critical condition as of Monday, February 4, 2019. Sadly, Smart’s injuries were too severe and she passed away before she could be removed from the wreck.
Third Crash
The third collision was a vehicle rollover that happened just before 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night. A woman from Woodland had been driving on Highway 49 when her vehicle also spun out on the wet highway. Her 2016 Honda Civic overturned as it left the road and struck a nearby tree.
Responders were able to transport the driver to a nearby trauma center by helicopter. Hospital staff said the woman was expected to be released on Monday, February 4, 2019. Despite efforts from emergency response teams, the passenger could not recover from his injuries and lost his life on-scene.
Should I Call a Lawyer?
The period of time after a fatal crash can be confusing for families. In addition to intense grief, people are often faced with serious financial issues that affect their lives. While it may seem difficult to do any extra tasks, calling a lawyer is an important step in recovering the damages you are owed from negligent parties. Wrongful death claims are complicated and it is always best to have the advice of a professional before you decide to take any legal action. Even if you don’t know whether or not you need a lawyer, most attorneys will offer you valuable advice for free in a phone consultation.
Before calling, you can watch this video to learn some more details about wrongful death damages:
More blogs by Ed Smith, Placerville Wrongful Death Lawyer
- Three Killed in Placerville Car Accident
- Defining a Placerville Injury Lawyer
- Placerville Accident Leaves Two Injured
Placerville Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Placerville wrongful death lawyer. Dealing with a fatal accident can be hard. If your family was affected by a deadly car accident, please call me by dialing either (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice about your situation.
My team and I have helped Placerville families recover just wrongful death payments for 37 years. Take a look at the settlements and verdicts we’ve obtained here. To read reviews from the clients I’ve worked with, visit:
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