Sacramento Hit and Run Accident
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. A fatal hit and run accident in Sacramento on Christmas night claimed the life of a man at a local intersection. A suspect has been apprehended by police.
Accident Details
The accident occurred on Freeport Boulevard where it intersects Florin Road in the vicinity of California Family Fitness at approximately 9:15 at night on December 25, 2017. According to a Sacramento Police representative, a man, who said to be about 40, was lying on Freeport. He was declared dead where the accident occurred. The deceased’s identity is not available at this time, pending an announcement by the coroner in Sacramento County. A vehicle license plate was found near the accident scene. Traffic heading south on Freeport was halted south of the intersection at Florin Road while police investigated the accident scene. Media was cautioned to use the parking lot at CVS.
Suspect Arrested
A suspect was taken into custody in the hit and run some time after the accident occurred. He is identified as 20-year-old Jataj Zuniga and was in a vehicle that is connected to the death. Zuniga was taken to Marin Jail in Sacramento County where he was booked. He was charged with hit and run associated with injury or death, which is a felony. He was also charged with driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, a misdemeanor.
Zuniga will have a December 28 appearance in court. He is in custody on a bail of $75,000. According to authorities, it is uncertain if Zuniga was driving drunk when the accident happened.
Hit and Run Accident Laws
Felony hit and run, where the perpetrator is charged with the serious injury or death of another individual, falls under Vehicle Code 20001. If a defendant is charged with felony hit and run, he or she might be sentenced to two to four years of jail time and a fine of up to $10,000 dollars. In addition, the family of the deceased person may file a civil wrongful death lawsuit against the hit and run driver.
Non-Fatal Hit and Run Accidents
Not all hit and run accidents involve serious injury or the death of another person. Some involve injuries may be considered minor. Others might not involve injury at all but cause property damage. In such cases, the driver incurs a misdemeanor hit and run charge that involves lesser penalties.
California Rules
No matter where you are in the state, you are required to stop after an accident. If the accident involves others who may be injured, you are required to request emergency aid if possible. A police officer will most likely respond, so it is important to wait and provide your information. This entails your contact information as well as your license number and auto insurance information.
If you hit a parked car or another vehicle where no one is injured, you are still required to provide the same information. In the event that the vehicle is parked with no one in sight, you are obligated to leave the information under the windshield wiper or some other conspicuous place. If you fail to do this, the accident will be considered a hit and run.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. If you have been injured by a hit and run driver, you may have suffered serious injuries. In other cases, a family member may have died. During such periods, having an experienced injury lawyer guiding you through the aftermath is a good idea. Just call me at (916) 921-6400 in the Sacramento area or (800) 404-5400 nationwide for friendly and free advice. You can reach me online too.
I’ve practiced law in California since 1982, helping my neighbors in Sacramento claim just compensation in a pedestrian accident and traumatic brain injury.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/technology-police-car-roof-2500010/
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