Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

A 21-year-old Rialto man was tragically killed early Tuesday morning in a solo-vehcle crash on Lone Pine Canyon Road, the San Bernardino Sun reported. The August 3rd San Bernardino County crash happened around 1 a.m. near Swarthout Canyon Road. According to news reports, the victim, Luke Eller, was a seat-belted passenger in a silver 2010 Mazda. While travelling at least 50 mph eastbound on Lone Pine Canyon Road, the driver of the Mazda, Daniel Sigala, 20, of Phelan, lost control of the vehicle for unknown reasons. The Mazda overturned and Eller was partially ejected. He was taken to Desert Valley Hospital in Victorville, where he died at 2:27 a.m.

Sigala left the scene of the accident without reporting the collision to authorities, and was later taken to the hospital by a friend. The accident remains under investigation. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Victorville CHP office at (760) 241-1186.

Passenger Accidents and Wrongful Death Liability

As a restrained passenger in the vehicle, Eller likely could have done nothing to prevent this horrific accident that ultimately took his life. While the cause of this accident remains under investigation by the CHP, the surviving family members of Luke Eller may benefit from speaking to a knowledgeable San Bernardino wrongful death lawyer experienced in the unique liability issues of solo vehicle accidents and passenger fatalities.

An experienced lawyer can review the accident report, and if necessary, hire an independent investigator to help the family understand who was responsible for this accident. If the crash was caused by the negligence of the driver, a defect in the vehicle, a hazard in the roadway or other dangerous road condition, an attorney can help the victim's family hold the party or parties responsible for this crash accountable. Damages awarded for a passenger's wrongful death may include compensation for final medical expenses, anticipated lifetime earnings of the victim, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of love, care and companionship.