Three Killed in Vallejo Hit-and-Run Accident
On Friday, January 26, 2018, a hit-and-run accident claimed the life of a local mother of two children. I’d like to offer my sincere sympathies to those affected by this tragic incident.
Accident Details
Officers of the Vallejo Police Department (VPD) reported that the collision occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Sonoma Boulevard, a short distance north of the intersection at Lewis Brown Road. Officers indicated that the woman appeared to have been hit by a vehicle while either walking with or riding her bicycle on the southbound side of Sonoma when she was struck by a vehicle that immediately left the accident scene.
Response and Fatal Injuries
After receiving reports indicating that a woman had been hurt in a collision, VPD sent emergency response personnel to the accident location. Sadly, responders discovered that the woman had received fatal trauma during the crash, and she was declared deceased on-site.
Responders were able to identify the woman as Lori Van Walker, a 27-year-old resident of Vallejo.
Investigation
Investigating officers of the VPD are currently trying to locate the vehicle driver that fatally struck Walker. Officers have reported that evidence suggests a silver-colored Honda vehicle may have been involved in the accident and added that the vehicle is possibly a van or large-sized SUV.
Walker’s sister, Chanteen Jefferson, told reporters that she is looking for closure after this family tragedy adding that she believes there must be somebody outside of the lit gas station where her sister was struck that has information about the collision.
While Vallejo police officers are searching surveillance footage from nearby storefronts and asking anybody who witnessed the accident or has information that could assist officers in finding the hit-and-run driver to call the VPD Traffic Division at (707) 648-4329.
Hit and Run Accidents
Don’t assume you have no recourse if you have lost a loved one in a hit-and-run accident. A personal injury attorney can often locate the hit-and-run suspect through their investigative techniques. Additionally, if the deceased had auto insurance with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or someone who resided in the deceased’s household had this type of insurance, a claim can be filed for damages associated with the accident. Call an experienced Vallejo personal injury lawyer for more information.
Vallejo Fatal Accidents
This fatal hit-and-run is the third deadly accident that has occurred in the city since the beginning of the year, and Lt. Michael Nichelini of VPD said in a public statement that the city’s emergency response departments “have noticed an alarming increase in fatal vehicle accidents.”
A car accident that occurred on Monday, January 29, 2018, brought the death toll of 2018 auto accidents in Vallejo to four, which Nichelini noted is higher than the number of fatal car accidents in Vallejo during all of 2017. While 2017 only saw 3 accident-related fatalities, Nichelini said that he estimates the annual average to be around 9.
Staying Safe
Many of the recent fatal accidents in Vallejo have been pedestrian collisions. While motorists are responsible for ensuring that they don’t strike pedestrians, pedestrians can also take steps to reduce their risk of being involved in a serious accident.
Pedestrians looking to avoid accidents with motorists should always wear bright clothing if they are walking in dim lighting conditions such as at night or in the early morning. Pedestrians can also try to walk predictably so that vehicles can anticipate their actions and avoid them more easily. A third safety measure that pedestrians can take is to never assume that vehicles will see them and always remain alert in case of a dangerous situation. Resisting the urge to be face down on our phones while walking is another life-saving measure we can all take.
More Articles from Ed Smith, a personal injury attorney in Vallejo ~
- What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
- Vallejo Accident Hospitalizes Multiple Individuals
- Vallejo Local Loses Life in Crash
Vallejo Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Vallejo personal injury lawyer. Contact my office for friendly, free legal advice if you have lost a loved one due to an auto accident. You can call (707) 564-1900, my toll-free number, (800) 404-5400, or visit AutoAccident.com to reach me. I take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no fees or costs upfront. I get paid after the successful conclusion of a case.
I’ve helped Vallejo area residents with wrongful death and personal injury claims to obtain the money they justly deserve since 1982.
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