An 8-year-old Cathedral City boy tragically died Tuesday night at Desert Regional Medical Center, shortly after he was struck by a passing pickup truck, the Desert Sun reported. The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Department identified the boy as Mario Salinas Jr. According to news reports, the boy was struck at 7:14 p.m. in the 68000 block of Durango Road, west of Avenida Maravilla. The boy apparently ran out into the street and was struck by the westbound truck. The dog that the boy was walking was also killed.
The loss of a young child is something no parent should ever have to go face. Our sympathy goes out to the parents and all the family members of this little boy, and everyone who knew and loved him. Please keep his family in your prayers during this surely very difficult time.
Cause of the Accident
Police are still investigating the accident and are still trying to locate witnesses. Anyone that may have seen the incident occur is urged to telephone the Cathedral City Police Department Traffic Bureau at (760)770-0306. According to KPSP News, police were still investigating whether excessive speed played a role in the crash.
Child Dart-Out Cases and Wrongful Death Liability
When a driver is travelling at a safe speed, following all the rules of the road, and paying full attention, and a child or pedestrian runs into the path of a vehicle, the driver is generally not liable. However, if the driver is speeding, not following traffic signs, or otherwise driving negligently (i.e. texting or talking on a cell phone), or has knowledge of children in the area, the driver may be at least partially responsible for a child's death.
While this June 15th accident remains under investigation, the family members of the child killed may benefit from talking to an experienced California wrongful death lawyer, who has successfully handled child death cases, who can review the accident report and look into the cause of the incident a little further. If the driver is determined to be partially or fully responsible for the accident, the family members may be entitled to compensation for their loss in a wrongful death claim, including damages for final medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of love and companionship.
Sources: Desert Sun, KPSP News
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