Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

RIVERSIDE COUNTY -- A 40-year-old tow-truck operator was struck be a hit-and-run driver on the 91 Freeway in Riverside, The Press-Enterprise reports. The accident happened at about 2 a.m. Saturday, when Christopher Tatro, of Corona, was hit by a tan sedan while he was assisting a disabled vehicle on the side of the freeway.

According to Valley News, the tan sedan fled the scene and continued east on the 91 Freeway and then exited at Adams Street. After the collision, Tatro was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where he later died at about 4:20 a.m. due to his injuries.

Cause of the Riverside Hit-and-Run Accident on Highway 91

The accident on December 17th remains under investigation by the Cailifornia Highway Patrol. However, based on the information provided by The Press-Enterprise and Valley News, it is not clear what caused the driver to hit the man and flee the scene of the accident. Anyone with information regarding the driver or this terrible incident should call the CHP's office in Riverside at (951)637-8000.

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Liability

During a fatal hit-and-run accident such as this one, the family of the victim would be well-advised to contact an experienced Riverside pedestrian accident attorney. A lawyer who is highly committed and dedicated in helping families in wrongful death claims, can advise the victim's family of their legal rights, help police locate the driver involved in this incident, and decide the best option in obtaining the maximum compensation. Compensation in a wrongful death claim can include funeral and burial expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other damages relating to this devastating pedestrian accident.

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BUENA PARK - A three-vehicle crash Monday morning on the eastbound 91 (Artesia) Freeway left two people injured, the Orange County Register reported. The accident, which involved a Mazda 6, an Infiniti QX$, and a BMW 38xi, occurred at 7:20 a.m. on Monday June 20th, at the Beach Boulevard on-ramp. According to news accounts, the Infiniti entered the freeway from the Beach Boulevard on-ramp and lost control and spun into the path of the Mazda. A woman driving a BMW was unable to avoid the collision with the Mazda. The drivers of the BMW and Mazda were both hurt in the crash.

Based on the information provided in news accounts, it is unclear why this accident occurred and who was responsible. If the CHP determines that the driver of the Infiniti was speeding, he or she may be liable for the injuries sustained by the drivers of the Mazda and BMW.

While this June 20th Buena Park accident remains under investigation by the CHP, the injured victims or their families would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable California personal injury lawyer. An attorney who understand the complex liability issues of freeway accidents can advise the victims of their best course of action to recover maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other accident related expenses.

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ARTESIA - The driver of a gray Honda Civic died at the scene of a solo-vehicle crash early Tuesday morning on the 91 freeway west of Pioneer Boulevard, the Pasadena Star-News reported. The driver, identified only as a man in his 30s, reportedly was driving in the fast lane when his vehicle veered right across all lanes and slammed into a sound barrier wall. The accident was reported at about 12:10 a.m. The cause of the fatal May 3rd Los Angeles County crash remains under investigation.

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ANAHEIM -- A 26-year-old Diamond Bar man and a 24-year-old Long Beach woman were killed in a wrong-way collision early Wednesday morning on the 91 Freeway in Anaheim, the LA Times and multiple other news outlets reported. According to news accounts, 21-year-old Anthony Louis Fragoso, 21, of South Gate, was driving west in the eastbound 91 carpool lane at about 12:50 a.m.

As Fragoso approached the off-ramp at Harbor Boulevard, he collided head on with at 2006 Toyota Scion. The driver of the Scion, Alan Reyes, 26, was ejected onto the freeway.

Both Reyes and his passenger, Vanessa Cease, 24, of Long Beach, died at the scene of the crash.

Fragoso suffered major injuries in the collision and was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange. He was arrested at the hospital charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. All lanes of the freeway were closed for about three hours while the California Highway Patrol Investigated.

Our condolences go out to the families of the two young victims, and everyone who knew them and loved them. Please keep their families in your prayers during this surely very difficult time.

Cause of the Orange County Accident

The CHP is investigating why Fragoso was driving the wrong direction. At this point, it has not been confirmed whether Fragoso was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Regardless, he was driving on the freeway in the wrong direction, and this act of negligence took the lives of two people. Fragoso may face further charges for driving under the influence if blood tests come back positive for drugs or alcohol.

Wrong-Way Driving Wrongful Death Liability

This accident is tragic and heartbreaking. While some head-on collisions are caused by driver inattentiveness or unsafe passing maneuvers, wrong-way head-on collisions such as this one are very often due to intoxicated or impaired driving. After fatal wrong-way collisions such as this one, the family members of the victims may benefit from speaking with a California wrongful death lawyer. In addition to criminal charges for grossly negligent driving, the driver may also be financially liable for the wrongful deaths of the victims, including funeral and burial expenses, lost anticipated lifetime earnings, and loss of love, care affection and companionship. In some cases, where the at-fault driver shows deliberate disregard for the safety of others, punitive damages may be available.

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