Major Accident Involving Minor Driver Occurs at College Street Intersection
On April 7, a juvenile driving a vehicle caused a major traffic crash in Woodland, which resulted in one woman’s death and 10 people being hospitalized. The accident occurred during the afternoon at the College Street intersection with Court Street and involved three vehicles, causing two of them to catch fire. The Woodland Police Department reported that 10 people were transported to hospitals in various conditions. Three of those hospitalized were minors, including the driver.
Young Driver Arrested in Fatal Traffic Crash and Facing Serious Charges
Officials said that officers observed a driver acting erratically and attempted to pull the vehicle over. However, the minor driver, who had stolen the vehicle from a member of their family, kept going north along College Street before striking the other vehicles at the intersection.
Officials have recently identified the decedent as 43-year-old Tina Vital. Sadly, Ms. Vital’s 4-year-old granddaughter, who was one of the injured parties, passed away at the hospital. A GoFundMe page has been created for the Vital family to assist with the costs of final resting services.
The minor driver was arrested the next day, booked at Yolo County Juvenile Hall, and faces charges of vehicular manslaughter and evading police. Additional information on the incident was not immediately available due to an ongoing investigation.
Liability in an Accident Involving a Minor
In California, if a minor (under the age of 18) is driving a car and causes a fatality or injury in a traffic crash, their parents or legal guardians might be held liable for any damages. This is known as the “parental liability” law. Under this law, the parents or legal guardians of the minor driver may be held responsible for any property damage, bodily injury, or death that occurs as a result of the minor’s negligent or reckless driving. If the minor was driving with the permission of the owner of the vehicle and had a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit, the owner of the vehicle may also be held liable for the accident.
Parents May Be Liable if the Minor Causes Crash
If the minor driving the car was unlicensed or too young to drive, the parents might be held liable for the traffic crash if they were negligent about their supervision, the child engaged in willful misconduct or exhibited dangerous behavior. It is important to discuss a case of this type with an accident attorney to determine who is liable in this type of accident and whether injury compensation can be recovered or a wrongful death claim can be filed. Criminal or civil charges would be determined by the legal system and law enforcement and whether the minor is charged as an adult in egregious cases.
Obtaining Legal Advice Following a Serious Traffic Crash Involving a Minor
It is important to note that liability in any traffic crash case is determined based on the specific circumstances of the accident. If you have been involved in an accident with a minor driver, it is recommended that you seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney to help you understand your rights and options. You can obtain a free review of the case, answer questions and find out how you can obtain compensation for your injuries or the loss of your loved one.
Woodland Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, and I am a Woodland personal injury lawyer. When negligence by another person causes a fatality or injury, you might want to find out if you can file a wrongful death or personal injury claim to recover damages. We offer free and friendly advice through our injury lawyers at (503) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also reach us online.
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Photo attribution: Image by Vladyslav Topyekha from Pixabay
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