Sonoma Cyclist Dies After Hit-and-Run Crash
On Thursday, August 15, 2019, a bicyclist suffered critical injuries after being injured in a hit-and-run collision in rural Sonoma county. The cyclist was taken to a hospital following the crash and stayed there until Sunday, August 18, 2019, when he tragically lost his life. The decedent was identified by authorities of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department as Gary Begley, a 61-year-old resident of the community of Healdsburg. California Highway Patrol (CHP) has indicated that they are actively investigating this accident in hopes of finding the missing driver.
Crash Information
According to CHP, the collision happened at around 5:45 on Westside Road to the east of the intersection at West Dry Creek Road just outside the city of Healdsburg. Begley was reportedly found conscious in the westbound lane of the roadway, which has a speed limit of 45 miles per hour. Begley was found next to his Specialized road bicycle, which was almost broken in half due to the impact of the collision.
Emergency response officials placed Begley on an ambulance and had him rushed to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where he received brain surgery because of trauma including multiple skull fractures. Begley also reportedly suffered broken ribs, internal bleeding, and a fractured shoulder. Despite the best efforts of hospital staff, Begley was not able to recover and passed away early Sunday morning.
Funeral arrangements for Mr. Begley are pending, and his family members have started an online fundraiser in order to offset some of their expenses. This fundraiser can be found here.
Investigation
Police investigating this accident say that they do not know what sort of vehicle was involved. Additionally, officers have stated that it is unclear whether or not Begley was heading east or west at the time of the collision. Anybody who may have information that could help investigators locate the missing driver has been asked to contact CHP by calling (707) 588-1400.
Hit-and-Runs and Liability
In cases of wrongful death, the parties responsible for the accident are often liable to pay for the damages that the families of decedents have suffered. However, in the case of a hit-and-run, families may worry that they will not be able to recover the compensation they need to pay for medical expenses, funeral costs, and more.
In many cases, police are able to locate hit-and-run drivers and families can file wrongful death claims in order to recover these damages. However, if the driver can’t be found, compensation may still be available through uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. The best thing to do if you’ve lost somebody in a hit-and-run crash is to get in touch with a trustworthy wrongful death attorney who can listen to the details of your case and provide you with the advice you need to move forward. To learn more about finding the right attorney, watch this short, helpful video:
More Blogs by St. Helena Wrongful Death Lawyer, Ed Smith
- Woman Dies in St. Helena Pedestrian Crash
- How can a St. Helena Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me?
- Driver Hurt During St. Helena Accident
St. Helena Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a St. Helena wrongful death lawyer. If your life has been changed by a deadly car accident, please call my office to speak with me about your case. Call either (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 and ask for Ed to receive my free, friendly advice.
My firm has worked with residents of St. Helena and those living in Napa and Sonoma Counties for over 37 years, helping them obtain the settlements and verdicts they deserve for damages suffered in serious car accidents. You can learn more about my practice by viewing the following webpages and reading reviews from my clients:
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Title: “Sonoma Cyclist Dies in Hit-and-Run Crash”
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