Two Dead Following Mendocino County Auto Accident
On Tuesday, November 19, 2019, two people lost their lives during a Mendocino county auto accident. Officials from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department have identified the decedents as Covelo residents Cheyenne Hoaglen and Randolph Balladarez, a 25-year-old woman and 32-year-old man. According to reports from responders, Hoaglen’s 4-year-old child suffered moderate injuries but survived the accident. Separate GoFundMe pages have been created for Randolph Balladarez and Cheyenne Pearl Hoaglen to help their families with covering final resting expenses.
Crash Information
California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials stated that this accident took place at around 9:30 p.m. on Highway 101 north of Ukiah. Hoaglen was driving a black-colored 2003 Cadillac Escalade northbound on 101 and had just passed Lake Mendocino Drive when her vehicle veered to the right-hand side of the road. The SUV continued off of the highway and dropped down an embankment and striking a metal fence. After striking the fence, the SUV traveled up a second embankment and rolled over before striking a Caterpillar tractor parked on a private residence.
When response officials reached the accident area, they found that both Hoaglen and Balladarez were fatally injured during the crash. The 4-year-old boy was found properly restrained in a car seat and was hospitalized for treatment.
Investigation
As police look into what factors may have played a part in causing this tragic accident, no suspected causes have been mentioned. When vehicle drivers pass away, so does their story about what happened during the collision. For this reason, critical factors are often overlooked during investigations because officers don’t know what to look for. This can prevent families from being able to hold at-fault parties such as government entities and auto manufacturers responsible for damages.
SUV Rollovers
SUVs are heavy vehicles, and when they overturn, there is a large amount of force placed on the roof. If the vehicle’s roof isn’t strong enough, it is liable to crumple, leaving occupants with injuries that otherwise would have been avoided. In cases of roof crush injuries, vehicle manufacturers are often liable for the damages suffered during the incident.
Recovering After a Fatal Crash
The emotional impact of suddenly losing somebody in a crash can be devastating and often leaves families feeling totally overwhelmed. During this time, it’s normal to experience a set of complicated and strong emotions, and the process of grieving looks different from person to person. It’s very important to spend time with the people you love and get the help you need in order to process your grief. However, it’s also important to contact a wrongful death lawyer right away.
At-fault parties typically start building their legal defense right away by conducting their own investigations and preparing a case to disclaim their responsibility for the accident. Having a lawyer early on can prevent these groups from obscuring important evidence, ensuring that your family receives the payments they deserve.
More Articles by Ed Smith, Ukiah Wrongful Death Lawyer
- Woman Suffers Major Injuries in Ukiah Vehicle Accident
- Defining Ukiah Personal Injury Lawyers
- Ukiah Crash Causes Three Injuries
Ukiah Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Ukiah wrongful death lawyer. If you lost a loved one during an auto accident, please take a moment to reach out to me for some free, friendly advice about your situation. To reach me, call my office at (800) 404-5400 or (707) 564-1900 and ask to speak with Ed.
For a period of more than 37 years, my team and I have been working alongside Ukiah and Mendocino County residents with wrongful death cases. To see how our clients have been able to receive compensation for their losses, I encourage you to view our settlements and verdicts or check out these websites where we’ve received outstanding ratings and reviews:
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