Highway 99 Fatality Accident Caused by Hit-and-Run Driver
A subcontractor with Caltrans died in a hit-and-run along northbound Highway 99 on July 26 while working at a construction site. The accident happened around 9:00 p.m., close to the exit for Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) activity log said that the worker was struck by a pickup truck, which then left the accident scene.
Sacramento County Coroner’s Office Releases Name of Deceased Man
According to authorities, the driver of a 2015 to 2019 Ford F-150 pickup swerved onto the shoulder of the road and struck the pedestrian. Afterward, the driver fled the accident scene. Authorities say the pickup should display damage on its right-hand side from the impact of the hit-and-run collision. The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office identified the decedent as Troy Jacob Lohuis, age 47.
Caltrans Makes Statement Following the Death of Subcontractor
Gilbert Mohtes-Chan, a spokesman for Caltrans District 3, said the deceased man was working as a subcontractor for the agency in its repair project for 21st Avenue. Lohuis worked for the North Highlands firm, Highway Specialty Company, and was putting a construction sign on the shoulder of the highway when the fatal hit-and-run occurred. The body of the worker was found by authorities under a trailer at the construction site.
Hit-and-Run Driver Sought by Authorities After Death of Road Worker
Caltrans tweeted that the right-hand lane and exit for Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard were shut down because of the accident. It was reopened at about 2:00 a.m. The accident investigation is ongoing as authorities search for the hit-and-run driver.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Accidents where the driver flees the scene are becoming more common. This is due to a variety of reasons. The ones listed below are the most common:
- The motorist lacks a driver’s license and is afraid of being caught if he/she remains.
- The driver has no auto insurance and flees rather than facing authorities. This is an extremely common situation in California.
- The car is stolen.
- The driver has warrants for their arrest and leaves the scene rather than facing them.
- The driver panics and runs away. Many times, the person returns after they think the matter through.
How a Fleeing Driver Affects Compensation
An injured party worries how their medical bills and other expenses due to the crash will be paid if the at-fault party flees. At AutoAccident.com, we have an excellent reputation in tracking down the fleeing driver. However, there are times this is not possible. In this situation, we counsel our clients on using their own uninsured/underinsured policy to cover the costs.
This is an add-on that is offered to the motorist when auto insurance is purchased. It covers the driver and their family whether they are a pedestrian, bicyclist or using a motor vehicle. If the injured party lacks this insurance policy and a member of their family has it, they can use it to cover their costs. The premium never goes up when it is used.
In the video that follows, Wrongful Death Lawyer Ed Smith discusses how to find a qualified attorney to handle your claim:
Sacramento Wrongful Death Attorney
I am Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death attorney. When a loved one has died due to the negligent actions of another, the family may wish to find out about filing a wrongful death claim. We can offer you our compassionate, free and friendly advice when you call us at (916) 921-6400. You can also contact us at (800) 404-5400 or by sending us a message online.
Knowing something about a law firm can be helpful when you are looking for advice about filing a claim. Information on how we’ve helped others and their comments can be found at the following links:
We are honored to have been chosen as members of these exclusive groups:
Since 1982, my team of injury attorneys and I have helped many people in Northern California to obtain the compensation that they deserve after losing a loved one in a wrongful death, all varieties of traffic collisions and other types of cases.
Photo attribution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDNYUBx5gqA; https://pixabay.com/photos/tea-lights-candles-light-2223898/
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