Hit-and-Run Fatality on Prescott Road
The Modesto Police Department reported a fatality following a hit-and-run accident on Prescott Road. The incident occurred on the night of Tuesday, January 17, 2023, just south of Standiford Avenue, officials said.
Details on the Hit-and-Run Fatality on Prescott Road in Modesto
According to Modesto PD, a woman was reportedly walking eastbound across Prescott Road when she was struck by a white GMC Yukon. The crash occurred at approximately 9:45 p.m., investigators said. The GMC driver, a 60-year-old man, initially left the crash site. Sadly, the pedestrian, Nancy Wright, 65, of Modesto, succumbed to her injuries.
With the assistance of an eyewitness to the incident, the GMC driver was later located by Modesto PD. The GMC driver was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, felony DUI, manslaughter, and murder.
The fatal hit-and-run pedestrian accident remains under investigation. Officials are hopeful for more eyewitnesses to come forward to provide their accounts of the incident. Those with information or witnesses may contact Modesto PD Traffic Safety Unit investigators at (209) 572-9592.
What is a Wrongful Death Claim and How Can it Help Our Family?
A wrongful death claim allows survivors to hold at-fault parties and entities financially accountable by providing the deceased’s family with the financial resources they need to support themselves and protect their futures. This is of utmost importance if the decedent was the primary provider of the household or had close relatives who depended on them for financial support. Per CCP 377.60, the surviving spouse, children, or domestic partner have priority. If the decedent was not married, did not have children, or is not survived by a domestic partner, a wrongful death action may be brought on behalf of other close relatives. This will be based on the facts and circumstances of the matter.
Under California law, eligible surviving family members may be entitled to recover non-economic and economic damages. This may include emotional distress and mental anguish suffered by survivors, loss of inheritance, loss of companionship, funeral service bills, medical expenses (recoverable via survival action), and other wrongful-death related losses. In fatal accident cases involving egregious conduct, survivors may also be entitled to punitive damages. An accident attorney may seek punitive damages on behalf of a family to punish the other side for their actions and to prevent them from putting others at harm in similar situations in the future.
How is Wrongful Death Proven?
A California wrongful death lawyer must prove through clear and compelling evidence that the other side’s negligence was the direct cause of the loss of life, and this resulted in damages for surviving family members. This may be challenging in a lawsuit against a negligent driver and their insurance company. As a survivor, you owe it to yourself and your family to retain legal counsel with experience handling cases like yours. At our law firm, we have decades of combined experience handling fatal accident cases. We have the skills, knowledge, and resources to build a strong case for maximum financial recovery. Learn more about us and how we can help your family by watching this video.
Personal Injury Attorney in Modesto
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto personal injury lawyer. At our law office, our legal team is there for you and your family and we’re available anytime to answer your questions, explain the legal process, and provide you with the information needed to make a well-informed decision for you and your loved ones.
Our injury attorneys offer free, friendly case advice. We operate on a contingent fee basis which means your family will not have to pay a dime unless we obtain a successful outcome in your case through a verdict or settlement. Learn more about the services that our law office offers by dialing (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
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