Wrongful Death

Nevada Truck Accident with Amtrak Train – Update

June 28, 2011 | by Robert Walch

Although previous reports said four people died in the Amtrak train accident with the big rig truck in Nevada, that number has been revised to six deaths, including the truck driver and the train conductor. The number of missing people, however, has been reduced from 28 to five.

The Amtrak train crash, which happened 70 miles east of Reno, Nevada, appears to have been caused by the either the truck driver or problems with the truck. The trucking company, John Davis Trucking Company Incorporated, based in Battle Mountain, Nevada, has been cited 17 times for having faulty equipment and has had two other crashes since 2009. Those cases involved a truck operating with bald tires and another truck with defective or missing springs.

San Dimas Freeway Accident Kills 3 Women

June 27, 2011 | by Robert Walch

Three women were killed this morning in a tragic freeway accident in San Dimas, California. According to the Los Angeles Times, the three women were inside a vehicle that collided with a big rig truck on the 57 freeway, at about 2:45 a.m. The vehicle was overturned as a result of the San Dimas truck accident and the women were pinned inside and died at the scene.

As a result of the San Dimas accident, all of the lanes on the southbound 57 freeway were closed, as well as the east and westbound transitions for the 210 freeway. After 7:00 a.m. this morning, all lanes were reopened to vehicle traffic.

The California Highway Patrol, which is investigating the deadly accident, has not yet determined the cause of the San Dimas wrongful death accident.

Amtrak Truck Accident in Nevada Kills 4, Injures Scores

June 25, 2011 | by Robert Walch

An Amtrak Train, headed to Emeryville, California from Chicago, Illinois, was struck last night by a semitrailer truck near Reno, Nevada in a tragic truck versus train accident. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Amtrak train accident in Nevada killed four people, including the driver of the truck, and over 20 people had to be taken to hospitals.

According to witnesses, the driver of the truck apparently tried to stop before colliding with the side of the train, but was unable to do so in time. Witnesses also reported that the warning gates and lights at the crossing were working at the time of the Nevada Amtrak train accident.

It is unknown at this time why the big rig truck driver was unable to stop before colliding with the Amtrak train, but possible reasons could be malfunctioning brakes, inattentive driving, lack of visibility, or speeds that were just unsafe for conditions.

Possible Murder Charges in Reseda Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death

June 15, 2011 | by Robert Walch

A car versus motorcycle accident in Reseda has resulted in the arrest and possible murder charges for Roberto Casillas, after his car hit a motorcycle on Monday. The victim of the Reseda car accident, Steve Josue Campos, was struck when Casillas allegedly made a left turn in front of Campos’ motorcycle.

Campos was transported to a hospital from the scene of the Reseda motorcycle accident, where he was later pronounced dead. The Reseda accident occurred near the intersection of Vanowen and Etiwanda, in Reseda, California.

It is unclear from the Los Angeles Times report why Casillas, who was taken to Van Nuys jail, is being held on suspicion of murder. Possible causes could include driving while under the influence or reckless driving.

Metrolink Train Kills Pedestrian in Palmdale Wrongful Death Accident

June 14, 2011 | by Robert Walch

This morning, a Metrolink train accident in Palmdale caused the possible wrongful death of a pedestrian. The Palmdale train accident occurred shortly after 11:00 am. The Metrolink train was en route from Union Station to Lancaster, California and the train accident happened near East Avenue O-8.

The victim of the train accident in Palmdale has not been identified. Fortunately, according to the Los Angeles Times, there were no reported injuries to any of the 114 passengers on the train at the time of the California train accident.

18 Years in Prison for Long Beach Drag Race Wrongful Death Accident

June 4, 2011 | by Robert Walch

Denis Alberto Reyes has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for causing a Long Beach Wrongful Death Accident that killed four people. Reyes, who was driving a stolen car, was apparently involved in a drag race with a Mustang, when the two vehicles collided.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Long Beach accident caused the ejection from the vehicle of the driver of the Mustang and two passengers. All three died from the Long Beach car accident, as well as another passenger who died later at a hospital.

Reyes, who was 17 at the time, and fled the scene of the car accident in Long Beach, was later arrested. He pled no contest to four counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, one count of car theft and hit and run causing death.

Irvine Car Accident Leaves Girl with Irreversible Brain Damage

June 1, 2011 | by Robert Walch

Ashton Sweet, a 14 year old girl, was left with brain damage after the vehicle she was in was struck by a drunk driver in an Irvine car accident. Doctors have declared that the brain damage is irreversible and Sweet is being kept alive while doctors determine if her organs are suitable for donation. Other girls in the vehicle suffered injuries, including Krista Merassa, 15 years old, who suffered serious or catastrophic injuries, and was listed in critical condition.

The girls were passengers in a car driven by one of the girl’s father, when they were struck by the alleged drunk driver, Austin Farley, a 26 year old Irvine man. Farley was arrested on suspicion of DUI and is awaiting his court appearance. Farley and the passenger in his vehicle were not injured in the car accident in Irvine.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Farley pled guilty to DUI in 2009 and also pled guilty to driving with a suspended or revoked license and refusal to take a chemical test for DUI in 2005.

In addition to the serious criminal charges that Farley will be facing, he will also likely be held liable for Irvine wrongful death damages, for the tragic eventual death of Ashton Sweet.

Man Killed and Wife Seriously Injured in Ventura Car Accident

May 31, 2011 | by Robert Walch

Eric Doran, a 36 year old restaurant owner from Newport Beach, was killed this weekend in a freeway accident in Ventura County, California. The Ventura car accident occurred on the 101 freeway in Thousand Oaks.

Doran was the owner of the Eat Chow restaurant, located in Costa Mesa, California. The Thousand Oaks car accident allegedly happened when Doran slowed his vehicle as they approached lanes that were coned-off for early morning construction.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Doran’s vehicle was rear ended by a 1998 Dodge Ram, which smashed their vehicle into the Honda Accord which was in front of them. Doran was pronounced dead at the scene while his wife was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The car accident in Thousand Oaks occurred shortly after 5:00am. It is unknown if poor visibility or if the fact that Doran was in a Model A roadster contributed to this collision or the injuries and death.

1 Officer Killed, Another Critically Injured in Torrance Motorcycle Accident

May 27, 2011 | by Robert Walch

A Hawthorne police officer was killed and an El Segundo police officer was critically injured in a motorcycle accident in Torrance, California. The officers were taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, where their situations were first described as being in “extremely critical condition.”

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Torrance motorcycle accident occurred during a funeral procession for deceased Manhattan Beach Police Officer, Mark Vasquez, who died of cancer. The funeral procession was traveling from Manhattan Beach to Rancho Palos Verdes, and motorcycle officers were apparently being used to go ahead of the procession to stop traffic.

According to reports, the two officers on motorcycle collided with each other, causing the Hawthorne officer to be thrown from his bike into traffic, where he was hit by a vehicle on Hawthorne Boulevard. The California motorcycle accident is being investigated by the Highway Patrol.

Burbank Metrolink Accidents Feared

May 26, 2011 | by Robert Walch

Officials have grown increasingly worried about the possibility of a Metrolink train accident in Burbank, due to unsafe crossings and the addition of the Metrolink express train service that runs from Burbank to Los Angeles Union Station.

According to the Burbank Leader, the downtown Burbank Metrolink station is one of the busiest Metrolink stations and commuters will rush across tracks when they think a train is idle, not considering the possibility the train will accelerate in reverse. This poses a serious risk of a Metrolink train pedestrian accident.

Apparently, people cross the tracks because buses serve both sides of the station. Currently, Metrolink appears to be relying on security guards at crossing stations giving warnings that people should not cross when the bell and lights are on. However, security guards have acknowledged that there is a common practice of people not listening to these warnings and crossing anyway, apparently because they think it is safe.