Two Killed in Head-On Crash on Avenue 9
On the morning of Thursday, December 22, 2022, the California Highway Patrol reported that two parties were killed, and two others were injured in a head-on crash on Avenue 9 in Madera County. The incident involved two vehicles and occurred at approximately 6:45 a.m. on Avenue 9 in the vicinity of Children’s Boulevard, officials said.
Details on the Head-On Crash on Avenue 9 in Madera That Killed Two
CHP traffic officers reported that a 2021 Toyota Corolla was headed westbound on Avenue 9 while a 2016 Honda Civic was approaching from the eastbound direction on Avenue 9. For unknown reasons, one of the vehicles allegedly entered the oncoming traffic lane and collided head-on with the other.
Two parties in the Toyota were treated for accident-related injuries at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. Sadly, a passenger in the Toyota and the Honda driver succumbed to their injuries. Investigators reported that the three parties in the Toyota are relatives.
The Madera County Coroner’s Office has recently identified the decedents as 67-year-old Clovis resident Samuel Mendoza and 28-year-old Sacramento resident Jacob Lee Penner. Officials said Mr. Mendoza was a passenger in the Toyota, and Mr. Penner was the driver of the Honda. A GoFundMe page has been set up for Mr. Penner’s family for final resting expenses and future care costs for his 1-year-old son.
What is Wrongful Death in California?
Wrongful death is the legal term used to describe a loss of life due to someone else’s negligence. In the context of a motor vehicle collision, this may be a driver who was speeding, made unsafe lane changes, DUI, or engaged in other careless conduct that led up to the fatal incident. The goal of a wrongful death action is to seek financial recovery for survivors who have been left behind to pick up the pieces and make them whole again. While no amount of money can undo what was lost, holding the other side accountable may provide a sense of closure.
The California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60 provides the basis for who is eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Priority is limited to the decedent’s children, domestic partner, or spouse. In some cases, a relative who depended on the decedent for financial support may also be eligible to file the case. This may include the deceased’s parents, stepchildren, a putative spouse, and other dependent family members.
Since California laws regarding wrongful death cases may be challenging to navigate, it is essential to seek the assistance of an experienced accident attorney who can protect your family’s rights and best interests. That is because the insurance company will not always be fair when it comes to offering your family the financial compensation you all need to cover the resulting damages and move forward. For details on how our law office can help your family through this difficult time, call for a free consultation or watch the video below.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Madera
I’m Ed Smith, a Madera personal injury lawyer. At our law firm, we understand that nothing is more challenging than the unexpected loss of a close relative. The impact of such a loss is financially devastating and emotionally difficult for surviving family members. Our legal team is prepared to handle all aspects of your case from start to finish so you and your family can focus on healing. We offer compassionate, free, and friendly case advice at (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400.
When you need a wrongful death attorney, you should consider working with one with experience in cases like yours and satisfied client reviews. Browse ours on Yelp, Google, and Avvo.
We are honored to be included in the Top 1 Percent, Million Dollar Advocates and other legal organizations in recognition of our history of successful results and outstanding client service.
The injury attorneys from AutoAccident.com have decades of combined experience helping survivors and offer a compassionate approach to wrongful death cases. We will advocate for your family with compassion, care, and understanding. We have included some of our previous case results on our verdicts and settlements page for your reference.
Photograph Source: “Rodnae” on Pexels
:ds llo [cs 717]