Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner reported that Benjamin Anthony Romero, 35, of Lucerne Valley, tragically died Monday night in a motorcycle accident on Highway 18. The Lucerne Valley crash occurred in the eastbound lanes of the highway, near Cody Road, at 8:25 p.m. on July 26, 2010.

According to news reports, Romero collided with the side of a 2004 Dodge pickup truck that was in front of him, when it made a right turn. The impact forced him off the bike. He was then struck by a westbound 2005 Ford pickup truck.

Cause of the Highway 18 Motorcycle Crash

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the accident. Based on the limited information provided in news reports of this incident, it is impossible to tell who was responsible for the crash. The CHP will surely look at factors such as the speed of the motorcycle, and both pickup trucks, as well as possible impairment of any other drivers, and whether or not the Dodge made a safe turning maneuver.

Continue reading "Lucerne Valley Man Killed in Highway 18 Motorcycle Crash " »

Police say illegal street racing is likely to blame for a fatal head-on collision on Highway 18 Saturday afternoon in San Bernardino County. An accident involving a Dodge Neon, a Nissan Sentra, and a Honda Pilot killed a 57-year-old passenger in the Sentra, the San Bernardino Press-Enterprise reported. The accident occurred around 11:40 a.m. on Saturday, May 28th, about 1.5 miles north of Lower Watermann Canyon Road. The victim, Christian Hansen Gunn, was a passenger in a silver 2002 Nissan that had been travelling northbound on Highway 18.

The Nissan was struck by a red 2005 Dodge Neon that had been travelling southbound on Highway 18. A Honda Pilot, headed northbound, struck the wreckage. Gunn died at the scene of the crash. The driver of the Nissan and two occupants in the dodge were taken by ambulance to Loma Linda University Medical Center. No one inside the Honda Pilot was reportedly injured.

Street Racing Accidents and Wrongful Death Liability

Estey Bomberger has represented a number of victims of illegal street racing accidents. These crashes are 100% preventable and caused by the reckless actions of thrill-seekers who have no regard for others on the road. Although the crash is still under investigation, if the facts reported in the news are accurate, the driver of the Dodge Neon is responsible for this accident, and the wrongful death and serious injuries it caused. While this May 29th accident remains under investigation, the family of Christian Hansen Gunn and the driver of the Sentra would be well-advised to contact a California auto accident attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help the victims protect their rights and hold the at-fault driver and any other responsible parties accountable for this horrific accident.

Continue reading "Covina Man Killed in Head-on Crash on Highway 18 " »

The San Bernardino Sheriff's Department is investigating the death of 17-year-old Deanae Weatherall, of Mira Loma, in a pedestrian accident Sunday evening (12-21-2009) on Highway 18 in Apple Valley. Weatherall had been walking with friends on the westbound side of the Happy Trails Hwy when she was struck by a Chevy Astro van at about 6:05 p.m. The accident occurred near Mana Road. She was taken by ambulance to Loma Linda University Medical Center where she died at about 8:30 p.m.

The driver of the Astro van, a 28-year-old woman, remained at the scene. Sheriff's officials did not believe the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The cause of the fatal Apple Valley pedestrian accident is under investigation. Based on the facts reported in the San Bernardino Sun and by the San Bernardino County Coroner's press release, it is not clear who is at fault for this accident.

Please keep the family of Deanae Weatherall in your prayers. The sudden loss of this young woman is surely heartbreaking. In types of cases like this, it is in the best interests of the family to discuss the situation with an experienced San Bernardino pedestrian accident attorney, who will independently investigate the accident and hold the negligent parties liable. In this case, the accident could possibly be caused by a negligent driver, or even a dangerous roadway condition, such as a poorly lit highway.