Sixty-seven-year-old Carlos Gomez Pantoja was struck and killed on July 29 around 1:35 a.m. on an Escondido street. According to the police, Pantoja was struck by a vehicle described as a white SUV or a gray pickup with a camper shell while he was crossing Lincoln Avenue with his family members.
The injured victim suffered a fractured arm and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he later succumbed to his injuries. We offer our sincere condolences to Pantoja’s family and friends for such a heart-rending loss. Fortunately, no one else in the family was injured in this pedestrian accident.
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 18 people were killed and 494 were injured in San Diego pedestrian accidents. According to government statistics, approximately 11 percent of all auto vehicle accidents are hit-and-run cases. Unfortunately, many hit-and-runs are never solved.
California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.” Since the motorist did not stop after hitting the pedestrian, the driver is in violation of this code.
If this fatal car accident was caused by the negligence or speeding committed by the SUV driver, then he or she may be held liable.
The victim’s family members would be well advised to consult with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney who would carefully analyze all the facts pertaining to this tragic hit-and-run crash and seek to have the at-fault motorist is apprehended and brought to justice without much delay. Additionally, the victim’s family can file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver seeking compensation for all related damages.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed because a careless driver ran a red light, talk to the experienced San Diego County hit-and-run victim attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group to ensure that your legal rights are protected. For a free assessment of your case, call our personal injury law office at (888) 233-5020.
Ross Jurewitz
Ross Jurewitz is the founder and managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group, a San Diego personal injury attorney law firm. These San Diego injury accident lawyers specialize in helping people seriously injured in a variety of accidents throughout San Diego County and California.
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