California Injury Blog

A police officer and another driver were taken to the hospital with personal injuries the morning of May 28, 2009 after a Long Beach car accident involving a patrol car and a minivan at a Long Beach intersection, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reports. The Long Beach car accident occurred at the intersection of Wardlow Road and Los Coyotes Diagonal. The force of the impact caused the van's airbag to deploy and left the female driver trapped in the car, Long Beach fire officials said. Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to free her from the wreckage and took her to a local hospital for treatment of neck and back injuries. The police officer was also taken to the hospital for treatment. Long Beach police officers are investigating the car collision.

I hope the police officer and the other driver did not suffer major personal injuries. I wish them both the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were 39 fatalities and 2,212 injuries involving car accidents in Long Beach. In Los Angeles County as whole, 712 deaths and 56,475 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of car accidents.

Continue reading "Long Beach Car Accident Injures Two" »

Evelyn Crenshaw, 84, was killed in a Fallbrook car accident after a man ran a red light and slammed into her sedan the afternoon of May 26, 2009, 10news reports. The 47-year-old Fallbrook man who has not yet been identified, was driving a Chevy Silverado pickup truck eastbound on Mission Road when he ran a red light and struck Crenshaw's sedan. Crenshaw was apparently turning left on Mission from the Interstate 15, California Highway Patrol officials said. Crenshaw suffered fatal personal injuries and died at the scene. CHP officials say the distracted driver of the Silverado did not notice the red light and went right through. He will likely face misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges.

My heart goes out to the family of Evelyn Crenshaw who died tragically because of another driver's apparent negligence. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Crenshaw. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2006, as many as 171,000 car accidents and 144,000 injuries and 887 deaths were attributed to red light running. Public costs exceed $14 billion per year and more than half of the deaths in red light running crashes are other motorists and pedestrians as opposed to the red light runners themselves.

Continue reading "Fallbrook Car Accident Caused by San Diego Red Light Runner " »

Five members of a family, including three children, were injured in a head-on Santa Maria car accident on the Highway 166. According to a KSBY news report, the Castellanos family from Guadalupe was returning home from a Memorial Day vacation May 25, 2009 when a white Chevy Caprice driven by Tommy Watkins of Bakersfield tried to pass traffic in an area which quickly turned into a "no-passing zone" and struck the Castellanos' Chevy Suburban. Watkins' grandson, 12-year-old Deshawn Porter, who was a passenger in the Caprice, died and another boy, Deshante Porter suffered major personal injuries.

According to another article in the Santa Maria Times the driver of the Suburban, Anthony Castellanos, suffered moderate California personal injuries as did his passengers, 14-year-old Justime Castellanos, 8-year-old Sarah Castellanos, 11-year-old Nicholas Castellanos and 78-year-old Susan Jones. Lisa Castellanos, 34, suffered major injuries.

Continue reading "Santa Maria Car Accident Also Injures Eight" »

Timothy James Waite Jr., 20, died in a fatal Ventura County motorcycle accident the morning of May 27, 2009, KVTA reports. California Highway Patrol officials said Waite was northbound on Pacific Coast Highway when he failed to negotiate a curve to the right and entered the southbound lane. The motorcycle then collided with a southbound car. Waite was thrown off his motorcycle and over the car, landing on the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene even before a helicopter could transport him to a hospital. Another person in the car was also injured, but not seriously.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the young motorcycle accident victim for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were five fatalities and 210 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Ventura County.

Continue reading "Ventura County Motorcycle Accident Fatally Injuries Man In Point Mugu " »

A California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer suffered serious personal injuries in a San Diego motorcycle accident after an out-of-control pickup truck struck his motorcycle when the officer was on the Interstate 15 in San Diego assisting another motorist. According to an article in the San Diego Union Tribune, the motorcycle officer, a 12-year CHP veteran, and another officer were parked in the median just south of the Interstate 8 the morning of May 26, 2009. They had been investigating a solo non-injury car crash when a man driving a green 2000 Toyota Tacoma entered the freeway from eastbound I-8 and veered across all lanes. The driver of the Toyota truck was identified as 43-year-old Brian Joseph Andrews.

The truck hit the median and slammed into the officer's BMW motorcycle and then hit him. The officer was caught under the truck and dragged before the Toyota came to stop in the center median. The officer suffered serious personal injuries, but was listed in good condition and said to be recovering in an area hospital. Andrews did not suffer serious injuries. The other officer was uninjured in the truck accident.

Continue reading "San Diego Motorcycle Accident Injuries CHP Motorcycle Officer in Freeway Collision" »

An 8-year-old boy is in critical condition after he was injured in a Santa Ana pedestrian accident the evening of May 24, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. The boy, who has not been identified, was playing with several friends just before the Santa Ana car accident occurred. He apparently stepped onto Hickory Street and was struck by a southbound Toyota Previa, Santa Ana police officials said. The pedestrian accident occurred near Bishop Street. The boy was taken to an area hospital and is said to have suffered critical personal injuries.

My heart goes out to the parents of this child and his friends, the other children, who saw him get hit by the truck on the street. I hope that this boy has a speedy and complete recovery. I can only imagine the strain this family must be going through. Please keep this young victim and his family in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were nine fatalities and 127 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Santa Ana. In all of Orange County, 41 deaths and 726 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of pedestrian accidents.

Continue reading "Santa Ana Pedestrian Accident Injures 8-year-old Boy" »

An anonymous donor has apparently offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed 55-year-old Patrick Shannon in a Anaheim car-bicycle accident the afternoon of April 24, 2009. Shannon was a 10-year employee of the Anaheim Marriott and had been riding north on South West Street when he was struck from behind by a Chevrolet El Camino. The driver left the scene of the car accident leaving Shannon unconscious and on the street with severe head injuries.

Shannon was taken to an area hospital where he died of his personal injuries two days after the Anaheim bicycle accident. Minutes after that fatal bicycle accident, Anaheim police found the El Camino with a shattered front windshield abandoned in bushes not far from the scene of the car-bike accident. Like many Orange County residents Shannon had just started commuting to work by bicycle because his doctor had told him to get more exercise. If you have any information about the hit-and-run driver or this accident, please call Anaheim police investigators at 714-765-1900.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everybody who knew and loved Patrick Shannon. I can only imagine the grief they must be going through not only because they have lost a loved one but because the hit-and-run driver who struck him is still at large. It's hard to understand how someone could seriously injure a person and then leave him or her for dead on the street. I hope this hit-and-run suspect is apprehended and brought to justice.

Continue reading "Anaheim Car-Bicycle Accident Kills Man in Hit-and-Run Incident" »

Sindy Lisbeth Hernandez-Villacorta, 21, was killed May 22, 2009 in a Victorville car accident after a suspected drunk driver in a BMW who was racing another motorist slammed into the truck she was driving, the San Bernardino Sun reports. The BMW's driver and two passengers were apparently speeding east on Mojave Drive. As the BMW reached the intersection of East Trail, a 2002 Nissan Frontier drove into the intersection trying to head west on Mojave drive. That was when the fatal car accident occurred.

Officials have not identified the driver of the 1997 BMW because he has not been arrested. Hernandez-Villacorta reportedly died at the scene. Four other people were personally injured and taken to various area hospitals. Hernandez-Villacorta's female passenger was airlifted to the hospital and she is said to be in critical condition. San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies believe that the driver of the BMW was racing another dark-colored sedan, which has not yet been identified. Police are investigating this as a drunk driving incident.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Sindy Lisbeth Hernandez-Villacorta, who died tragically and unnecessarily in this San Bernardino County car accident because of another person's negligence and callous disregard for public safety. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Hernandez-Villacorta. I also hope and pray that her passenger who has suffered critical injuries will come out of this successfully and make a complete recovery. Please keep the victims and their families in your prayers.

Continue reading "Victorville County Car Accident Involved DUI, Street Racing" »

We aren't even in the thick of summer yet but a surge in Southern California swimming pool accidents involving drowning and near drowning in the region has Southern California officials very concerned. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, Riverside County is on track to have more children drown this year than in 2008. Four boys, all under the age of 5, have drowned so far, in backyard pools, according to the Riverside County Department of Public Health. During 2008, seven children drowned across the county while in 2007 there were nine drowning incidents.

Officials also say that near-drowning incidents are increasing. Just on a recent Sunday, Riverside County had three near-drowning incidents and San Bernardino County had two. Local authorities are extremely worried because they are seeing this spate of swimming pool accidents even before the official start of summer.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children younger than 5 in California. More than 80 percent of drowning and near drowning occur in backyard swimming pools, often because of a very brief period of inattention or lack of supervision. This year, officials are seeing some "new twists." In two cases, children escaped into the swimming pool through dog doors. In other cases, children fell into murky, unmaintained pools in occupied homes.

Continue reading "Southern California Swimming Pool Accident Warning Issued by Officials " »

Samuel Surles, 69, was killed in a San Bernardino motorcycle accident in Hesperia the morning of May 23, 2009, the San Bernardino Sun reports. Surles was riding a 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle and had stopped for a red light at the intersection of Main and E streets in Hesperia. The driver of a 2001 Ford Explorer was stopped at the intersection as well. But as the light turned green, both drivers entered the intersection at the same time. The driver of the Explorer made a left turn in front of Surles causing him to crash into the front portion of the SUV. Surles was taken to an area hospital and was pronounced dead shortly afterward, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department officials.

My heart goes out to the family of Samuel Surles for their sudden and tragic loss. I offer my deepest condolences to the motorcycle accident victim's family and friends. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there was one fatal motorcycle collision and seven personal injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Hesperia. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 28 fatalities and 627 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in 2007.

Continue reading "San Bernardino Motorcycle Accident Kills Man" »

A grandma walking her grandchildren to school the morning of May 21, 2009 was seriously injured in a Santa Ana pedestrian accident after she was struck by an apparently speeding driver. According to an article in The Orange County Register, the woman was walking her two grandchildren, a 6-year-old boy and 8-year-old girl, in a crosswalk on Holt Avenue at Vanderlip Avenue. Cars were stopped in the left lane, but a driver of a red Nissan Sentra who was speeding, slammed on the brakes and skidded into the victims.

The grandmother who moved in front of the children to block them from the pedestrian-car accident was thrown on the hood of the Sentra and then fell on the ground. She was taken to an area hospital with several personal injuries including a broken limb. The girl suffered minor personal injuries. The boy was not injured.

I'm extremely relieved that the children were not seriously injured from the car-pedestrian accident. My heart goes out to this grandmother who put her life at risk to protect her grandchildren. I hope and pray this injured victim has a quick and complete recovery. I also hope the driver of the Sentra is held civilly and criminally responsible for his reckless driving.

Continue reading "Orange County Pedestrian Accident Injures Grandmother" »

Raptiva brain damage lawyers have continued to see new cases. Recalling the psoriasis drug Raptiva from the market due to possible risk of brain damage has left many psoriasis patients anxious and concerned about the horribleRaptiva side effects they may suffer as a result of taking Raptiva for years. According to an article in Lawyers and Settlements, some Raptiva users have been taking it for years and are just now finding out that they may be at risk for serious brain damage, even death. Genentech, the pharmaceutical company that made this drug, apparently knew about the possible side effects based on tests done overseas. But the results of those tests were never made public here in the United States.

Raptiva users could suffer PML or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy that reportedly leads to a deterioration of the nervous system eventually causing irreversible brain damage. Raptiva users with weakened immune systems are most at risk. Longer and continuous use of Raptiva may further increase the risk of severe side effects. The article gives the example of a patient who only took it only for six months and experienced horrible side effects. He had a severe Raptiva allergic reaction. Most patients report experienced a severe burning sensation from head to toe. This patient says that he had to be given morphine by IV because of unbearable pain and that he "looked like I was dipped in the Burger King deep fryer." Then, he lost use of his legs for close to a week. He ended up spending three months in the hospital.

Continue reading "Raptiva Brain Damage Lawyers: Raptiva Users Worry about Side Effects" »

A man in a motorized wheelchair died in a fatal Long Beach car accident after he was struck by a sport utility vehicle while crossing a street in Bellflower the night of May 19, 2009, the Press Telegram reports. The Long Beach car accident occurred when the victim, who has not yet been identified, was crossing Artesia Boulevard near Coke Avenue. The man was thrown from his wheelchair and declared dead at an area hospital. Officials also said that the man on the wheelchair seemed to have rolled out into the street between two parked cars, which may have been the reason why the female driver of the SUV did not see him. The initial report apparently rules the incident "a simple accident."

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the man who was killed so suddenly and tragically. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved him. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were 15 deaths and 274 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Long Beach. In Los Angeles County as a whole, in 2007, 210 deaths and 5,095 injuries were reported involving pedestrian accidents.

Continue reading "Long Beach Car Accident Kills Man in Wheelchair" »

Brigida De Garcia, 65, was killed in an Anaheim pedestrian accident the morning of May 20, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. De Garcia was crossing Katella Avenue about 40 feet east of the corner of Jean Street to catch a bus to work when a silver Acura traveling west in the number one lane struck her. Police do not believe the driver was speeding and said De Garcia seemed to have crossed the street away from the appropriate corner. The Anaheim pedestrian accident happened at the intersection of Katella and Jean which is not marked with a crosswalk.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Brigida De Garcia, many of whom actually went to the car crash site immediately after the Anaheim car-pedestrian accident because it was blocks away from her home. The article says family members were not allowed to view her body, which was lying on the concrete and covered in yellow plastic. What a heart-wrenching scene! I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved De Garcia and her family members who went through the trauma of witnessing the car-pedestrian accident site immediately afterward. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 traffic accident statistics, there were six fatalities and 63 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Anaheim. In Orange County as a whole, 41 deaths and 726 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007.

Continue reading "Anaheim Pedestrian Accident Kills Orange County Man" »

An elderly man was injured in a Riverside pedestrian accident after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing a street in Desert Hot Springs, The Desert Sun reports. The car versus pedestrian accident occurred on May 18, 2009 as the man was crossing Hacienda Avenue near Tamar Drive, police officials said. The man was hit by a speeding vehicle driven by Michael Madrid, who had crossed over double yellow lines to pass another vehicle in front. Madrid has been cited for driving with a suspended driver's license. The victim suffered a broken leg.

I'm extremely relieved this car-pedestrian accident, serious as it is, didn't involve any loss of life or cause catastrophic injuries. The driver was apparently speeding and driving recklessly, not to mention, without a valid license. I wish the injured victim the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

According to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were 43 Riverside pedestrian accident fatalities and 393 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in 2007 in Riverside County.

Continue reading "Riverside Pedestrian Accident Injures Elderly Man" »

Ramon Aguayo, 49, was killed in a Garden Grove car accident after he lost control of his Chevy Avalanche and crashed on the 405 Freeway, The Orange County Register reports. Aguayo was driving north on the 405 Freeway at the 22 Freeway interchange where the roadway curves. Aguayo for some reason missed the curve and drove his Avalanche straight down, ran off the roadway and struck a concrete drainage ditch, California Highway Patrol officials said.

The sport utility vehicle overturned, struck a tree and came to rest at a metal guardrail on the 405 Freeway near the 22 Freeway overcrossing. Aguayo was pronounced dead at the scene of the car crash. He was apparently driving at the speed limit -- 65 mph. CHP officials are still looking into what caused this fatal car collision.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Ramon Aguayo for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Aguayo. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to the California Highway Patrol's 2007 traffic accident statistics, there were seven fatalities and 837 injuries involving car accidents in Garden Grove. In Orange County, in 2007, 178 deaths and 14,185 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents.

Continue reading "Garden Grove Car Accident Kills Orange County Man" »

This is Dog Bite Prevention Week -- a good time to consider the ways we can help prevent dog bite accidents. There is a lot of useful information out there for dog owners and others on how to prevent dog attacks. It is estimated that 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year. About 800,000 Americans who receive medical attention for dog bites each year are children. When a dog bites a child, the victim's small size makes the bite more likely to result in severe personal injury.

A majority of dog bite injuries in young children occur during everyday activities when interacting with familiar dogs. With the safety of children in mind, this year the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is introducing The Blue Dog Parent Guide and CD, an educational tool aimed at teaching children, 3 to 6 years old, and their parents how to avoid dog bite accidents.

Children are also frequently bitten on the face, which can result in severe cuts, infection or scarring. Plastic surgeons, just in the last year, have performed more than 16,000 reconstructive surgeries involving dog bites. There are three times more dog bites than there are brain injuries and still, there is very little information out there not only for community members who want to stay safe, but for dog owners about the importance of responsible dog ownership.

Continue reading "Dog Bite Accidents Continue to Victimize Children the Most" »

Thomas Wilson, 54, died in a Dana Point motorcycle accident after losing control of his motorcycle the morning of May 17, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. Wilson was driving southbound on Crown Valley Parkway when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into the curb, Orange County Sheriff's Department officials said. The motorcycle crash happened near Seven Seas Drive in Dana Point, just inland of Pacific Coast Highway.

A witness at the scene who saw the motorcycle crash said Wilson was just riding down the street when he crashed, for no apparent reason. Investigators say Wilson was traveling at the posted speed limit and that no drugs or alcohol were involved.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Thomas Wilson for their tragic and sudden loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to the California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were no fatalities and seven injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Dana Point. In Orange County as a whole, 24 fatalities and 752 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in 2007.

Continue reading "Orange County Motorcycle Accident Kills Man" »

Diana Gail Vandenberg, 54, of Wildomar died in a Riverside motorcycle accident the morning of May 17, 2009, according to a news report in the Riverside Press Enterprise. The Hemet motorcycle accident occurred at the intersection of East Florida Avenue and Meridian Street in Hemet when Vandenberg's motorcycle struck a sports utility vehicle. Vandenberg was thrown from her motorcycle. She died about five hours after the car-motorcycle accident at a local hospital. California Highway Patrol officials are investigating this fatal motorcycle accident.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Diana Gail Vandenberg for their sudden and tragic loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Vandenberg. Please keep them in your prayers.

According the California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were no fatalities, but 18 injuries involving motorcycle crashes were reported in Hemet. In Riverside County as a whole, 41 deaths and 562 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in 2007.

Continue reading "Riverside County Motorcycle Accident" »

Martha Muro, a 26-year-old animal control officer lost part of her thumb in a Los Angeles dog bite accident when she was on the job. According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, the May 14, 2009 dog attack occurred when Muro was making a follow-up visit to a house on Live Oak Street to ensure that a dog owner had cleaned up "excessive dog feces" on his property. As Muro was talking to the owner at the front door, two pit bulls that were in the side yard, began lunging at a chain-link gate. Muro retreated from the front yard, but the dogs escaped, broke through a hole in a front gate.

A male pit bull grabbed onto Muro's baton and pushed her to the ground. The dog was "going for her face and neck," officials said. Muro was able to break free after a neighbor got help. The male pit bull was turned over to authorities by its owner and euthanized. Tests are underway to determine if there are any medical causes for the dog's aggression including rabies. The second pit bull, a female, has been quarantined for observation.

My heart goes out to Martha Muro, the animal control officer, who was involved in the pit bull attack as she was performing her job. Apparently doctors are still evaluating whether the severed thumb section, which was found later, can be reattached. I wish Muro the very best for a quick and complete physical as well as emotional recovery.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Dog Bite Accident" »

The family of Bill and Belma Martin has said that the elderly couple's personal injuries were caused by a Bakersfield car accident due to a dangerous roadway condition. The family apparently contacted the local ABC 23 television station because neither Kern County nor Caltrans would give them the help and information they needed. Bill and Belma Martin are apparently still bedridden with personal injuries after crashing into a telephone pole in April, the ABC News report says.

The couple was reportedly traveling on Foothill Road when they crashed into a telephone pole not knowing that they were in a "right-turn only" lane. The car rolled over, causing multiple injuries to the Martins. Family members say the problem is that there are not enough warning signs on the street telling drivers they must turn right or a sign saying that the road ends. At the time of the rollover car crash, there was only one sign and that was at the corner of the turn. By the time the driver saw the sign, it was too late.

My heart goes out to Bill and Belma Martin and the family members who are now caring for this injured couple. I wish the Martins the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading "Bakersfield Car Accident Due To Dangerous Roadway Caused Elderly Couple's Personal Injuries, Family Says" »

Two people were killed in a fiery Los Angeles rollover car accident in Encino that occurred early morning on May 14, 2009, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. The fatal car accident happened on Burbank Boulevard at Balboa Boulevard, according to Los Angeles Police Department officials. The car carrying the victims apparently rolled over and caught fire leaving it charred. Two motorists died at the scene and their names have not yet been released. The circumstances of this fatal car crash are under investigation.

I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the two people who were fatally injured in this rollover crash. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were 260 deaths and 27,110 injuries reported in the city of Los Angeles as a result of car accidents. In Los Angeles County as a whole, there were 712 deaths and 56,475 injuries involving traffic accidents in 2007. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that at least 10,000 die each year in rollover accidents in the United States. About 40,000 people die each year in the United States in traffic accidents.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Car Accident Leaves Two Dead" »

Three students and two drivers were injured in a Visalia school bus accident the morning of May 12, 2009 after two school buses collided. The school bus accident occurred at the intersection of Camp Drive and Road 69. The smaller bus was carrying special education students and was going north on Camp Drive approaching Road 69. The second bus, a full-sized school bus, was going west on Road 69 and had stopped at a stop sign. The driver of the larger bus did not see the smaller bus and pulled into the intersection as it approached, California Highway Patrol officials said. The bus collided at their right front corners and came to a stop.

Three out of six students in the smaller bus suffered personal injuries and were taken to an area hospital. They were treated and released. The two drivers -- Melville Tully Jr. 66 and Dennis Curtsinger, 58 -- also suffered minor injuries. They have been placed on administrative leave until CHP completes its investigation and the school district finishes its internal evaluation. Officials do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved in this school bus crash.

I'm glad that none of the children or the drivers suffered any serious personal injuries in this school bus crash. What a relief for their parents! It could have been a lot worse. I wish all the injured victims the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

Continue reading "Visalia School Bus Accident Injures Three Students, Two Drivers" »

Guido Bisson, 46, of Capistrano Beach was killed in a Los Angles car accident after his car was struck by a suspected drunk driver going the wrong way on the Glendale (2) Freeway. According to an article in the Glendale News Press, the fatal car collision occurred early morning on May 10, 2009 when 24-year-old Gregario Diaz of Sylmar drove north on the southbound lanes and crashed head-on with Bisson's Cadillac Catera. Bisson was pronounced dead at the scene. Diaz's two female passengers suffered major personal injuries and were taken to area hospitals. Diaz also sustained major personal injuries. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, California Highway Patrol officials said.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Guido Bisson for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Bisson. He was obviously in the wrong place at the wrong time and became an unfortunate victim of this other driver's negligence. Please keep the Bisson family in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were two fatalities and 60 injuries involving alcohol-related car accidents in Glendale. In Los Angeles County as a whole, in 2007, there were 268 deaths and 5,139 injuries involving DUI car accidents.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Car Accident Caused By DUI Driver" »

A preliminary report released by the California Highway Patrol states that driver error was to blame for a fatal Soledad tour bus accident on April 28, 2009, which killed five people. According to an Associated Press news report, an investigation shows that the Orion Pacific tour bus' driver, 69-year-old John Egnew of Corona, failed to negotiate a curve on a Highway 101 overpass in Soledad, causing the bus to hit a guard rail and overturn. The bus was carrying 34 French tourists and a Canadian tour guide when the bus accident occurred.

Four of those killed were French nationals. Egnew, who was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown through the windshield and died. The CHP report says Egnew was not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and that his toxicology tests came back negative. Investigators have also determined that the bus had no mechanical problems and road or weather conditions were not factors in this fatal Soledad bus crash.

In this California bus accident, from an investigator's point of view, it is very unfortunate the driver himself was among the deceased. I'm sure this made the investigation all the more complex. However, now that a determination has been made that the bus accident in Soledad was the bus driver's fault, the Orange County-bases tour bus company could be held liable.

Continue reading "Soledad Tour Bus Accident Caused By Driver Error, CHP Officials Say" »

A Hemet man has been arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter in connection with a Riverside car accident that killed 5-year-old Taane Unga of Sun City, the North County Times reports. Steven Neil Peterson, 53, apparently caused the fatal car accident the night of May 10, 2009 on the 215 Freeway, which left Taane Unga dead and two other teenagers with major personal injuries. Peterson was on Interstate 215 near Harley Knox Boulevard in a Kia Rio when he tried to change lanes. After realizing that he was about to hit another car, Peterson swerved and lost control of his car slamming into Mazda MPV minivan.

The minivan lost control. Both vehicles slid sideways with the minivan rolling over and going off the freeway. Unga was ejected from the minivan and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other children -- a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old -- suffered major personal injuries, California Highway Patrol officials said. The driver of the minivan suffered minor injuries.

My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved this little boy, Taane Unga. I offer my deepest sympathies to this family for their sudden, tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers. I wish the two injured teenagers the very best for a quick and complete recovery. I trust the suspected drunk driver in this case will soon be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Continue reading "Riverside Car Accident Kills Child in DUI Case" »

Khaliunaa Dranov, 23, of Los Angeles was killed in a Los Angeles car accident and three others suffered critical personal injuries after she lost control of her car and drove into a statue in MacArthur Park early morning on May 10, 2009. According to a CBS News report, Dranov was driving east on Wilshire Boulevard near Park View Street when the car crash occurred, Los Angeles Police Department officials said. Three adult passengers in the car were hospitalized in critical condition. Dranov was pronounced dead on the scene. LAPD is still investigating the accident.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Khaliunaa Dranov for their tragic and untimely loss. My heart goes out to Dranov's family as well as the three car collision victims who are in the hospital with critical personal injuries. I hope they make a quick and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to the 2007 California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were 260 deaths and 27,110 injuries as a result of car accidents in the city of Los Angeles. In Los Angeles County as a whole, there were 712 fatalities and 56,475 injuries involving car accidents in 2007.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Car Accident Kills One And Injuries Three" »

Nehalah May, a 9-year-old girl was killed in a May 10, 2009 Washington car-motorcycle accident after the motorcycle she was riding on crashed into another vehicle. According to a KXLY news report, 51-year-old Robin Scholz of Colfax was riding a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle on northbound Highway 195 with Nehalah when 89-year-old Esther Mae Westlund who was driving south on the highway made a left turn at Meadow lane, in front of Scholz. Washington State Patrol officials say Scholz probably did not have sufficient time to stop the motorcycle before striking Westlund's 1986 Oldsmobile.

Nehalah May was taken to an area hospital where she later died. Scholz also suffered serious personal injuries. Westlund was uninjured and was cited at the scene for second degree negligent driving. Troopers say Westlund caused the fatal car versus motorcycle crash by failing to yield right of way to Scholz's Harley. Both Scholz and Nehalah May were wearing helmets at the time of the Spokane motorcycle-car accident.

My heart goes out to the family of young Nehalah May for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. It's extremely unfortunate that this little girl died because of another driver's negligence. I offer my deepest sympathies to everybody who knew and loved Nehalah. I also wish Robin Scholz the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading "Washington Motorcycle Accident Kills Child" »

Three members of a Fullerton family -- Maynardo Orosa Romey, 59; Lucilla Abdon Romey, 60, and their 17-year-old son, Patrick Maynard Romey -- died in a Los Angeles car accident the morning of May 9, 2009. According to an article in the Pasadena Star News, the Romeys were traveling eastbound on the 60 Freeway in a Honda Civic when the driver, Maynardo Romey, lost control of the Civic for unknown reasons and veered into the number two lane into the path of a Cadillac STS. The Cadillac then struck the Honda with great force, California Highway Patrol officials said.

The Honda Civic had major T-bone damage on the passenger side. All three family members were pronounced dead following the Hacienda Heights car accident. The driver of the Cadillac was reportedly hospitalized with moderate personal injuries. No arrests have been made in connection with the Los Angeles car accident.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the Romeys for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this family. I can only imagine the grief and pain they must be going through. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Car Accident Kills Three Orange County Residents" »

Dario Moreno, 30, of Rancho Santa Margarita, was killed in a Riverside motorcycle accident after he struck a sedan on the Ortega (74) Highway near the Lookout Roadhouse the morning of May 9, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. Moreno was apparently riding a 2006 Honda motorcycle when the fatal Lake Elsinore motorcycle accident occurred, California Highway Patrol officials said. Moreno was taken to a Wildomar hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after the motorcycle crash.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Dario Moreno, who was tragically killed in this motorcycle-car accident. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 traffic accident statistics, there was one death and 11 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Lake Elsinore. In Riverside County as a whole, 41 fatalities and 562 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in 2007.

Continue reading "Riverside County Motorcycle Accident Kills One" »

Ramon Camacho of Wapato is in critical condition in a Seattle hospital after a Seattle car accident, according to an article in the Yakima Herald-Republic. Camacho was riding a tractor on Clark Road when he was rear-ended by the driver of a Ford Focus the night of May 5, 2009. The driver of the car, 52-year-old Joy Douglas, is under investigation for vehicular assault, Washington State Patrol officials said. Douglas was not personally injured. A passenger in the Focus -- 42-year-old Traci Bennett, was also uninjured. Police say the use of intoxicants played a role in this Washington car accident.

My heart goes out to the personal injury victim Ramon Camacho and his family who must be going through a very hard time. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep him in your prayers.

Continue reading "Seattle Car Accident Seriously Injures Man" »

Two 12-year-old boys suffered serious personal injuries in a Los Angeles pedestrian accident the morning of May 6, 2009, CBS News reports. The boys were struck by a car in the 12100 block of West Wicks Street, Los Angeles Fire Department officials said. One boy reportedly suffered a broken femur and the other child possibly suffered a head injury. Police were still investigating the circumstances of this pedestrian-car accident.

My heart goes out to these two children who were involved in this horrific pedestrian accident. I hope and pray that they are doing better and that their personal injuries were not catastrophic. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were 90 deaths and 2,690 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in the city of Los Angeles. In 2007, in Los Angeles County, there were reports of 210 deaths and 5,095 injuries involving pedestrian accidents.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Injures Two Children" »

Twelve people were injured, seven of them critically, in a Hollywood car accident on the 170 Freeway that involved several vehicles, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. The Sun Valley car accident occurred on the southbound side of the 170 Freeway near Sherman Way in the early morning hours of May 6, 2009. The car accident involved at least four vehicles, California Highway Patrol officials say.

Eleven adults and one minor were taken to area hospitals, Los Angeles city fire officials said. Seven victims suffered critical personal injuries and five sustained relatively minor personal injuries. Firefighters reportedly had to free two victims from the wreckage -- a motorist in a red car that had rolled over and another victim trapped in a white car. A man who had been riding a bicycle on a nearby overpass apparently told a camera crew that he saw the Hollywood car crash occur and even saw some of the vehicles involved flee from the scene.

I feel for all the victims who were injured in this car collision. My heart especially goes out to the seriously injured victims and their families, who must be going through a traumatic time right now. I wish them all the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading "Hollywood Car Crash On 170 Freeway Injures 12" »

Henry Wei, 49, was killed in a San Diego truck accident the morning of May 5, 2009 after he crashed his box truck into a big rig on the 5 Freeway, according to a news report in the North County Times. Wei was driving a Ryder box truck that failed to brake and crashed into a tractor trailer, which had slowed down to about 5 mph. California Highway Patrol officials say they are not sure why Wei did not brake. One tractor-trailer was stopped; about to exit the freeway and a second tractor trailer behind it was going at 5 mph when the box truck Wei crashed into it at full speed. CHP officials are inspecting all three trucks for possible car defects such as mechanical problems.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Henry Wei for their tragic loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Wei. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to statistics provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 4,808 fatalities and 83,908 injuries involving big-rig and large truck accidents in the United States in 2007. During the same year in California, the federal agency reports 363 deaths and 5,959 injuries involving big rig accidents..

Continue reading "San Diego Truck Accident Kills One" »

A man sustained serious personal injuries in a Palm Springs pedestrian accident, The Desert News reports. The car versus pedestrian accident apparently occurred at about 8:20 p.m. on May 5, 2009 in the 2300 block of North Palm Canyon Drive. The injured victim was taken to an area hospital with injuries. The extent of his personal injuries is not known. The driver fled the scene of the accident. A description of the suspect vehicle is not available, but officials say the car should have major front-end damage. If you saw this pedestrian accident or have information about it, please call Palm Springs Police at 760-323-8115.

My heart goes out to this injured pedestrian and his family. I hope and pray that his personal injuries were not major and wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. I trust the driver who struck this pedestrian and left him injured on the roadway will soon be apprehended and brought to justice. Leaving the scene of a car-pedestrian accident where a victim has been injured and rendered helpless is an inhumane and despicable act!

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 traffic accident statistics, there were three pedestrian accident deaths and 20 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Palm Springs. In Riverside County, 43 deaths and 393 injuries involving pedestrian accidents were reported in 2007.

Continue reading "Palm Springs Pedestrian Accident" »

Three people suffered personal injuries in two separate May 4, 2009 Los Angeles pedestrian accidents. According to an article in the Glendale News Press, the first pedestrian accident occurred in the 600 block of Colorado Street when a man was struck by a driver as he was walking to his car, which was parked on the street. The motorist did not stop to help the injured man and fled the scene. Police later apprehended the hit-and-run suspect whom they identified as Esther Zapeda-Ortiz. She was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and driving under the influence of alcohol. The victim was taken to the hospital with personal injuries.

The second Los Angeles pedestrian accident occurred the same afternoon when two pedestrians sitting on a bus bench were injured as a result of a pedestrian-car collision at Brand Boulevard and Los Feliz Road. A motorist driving a Honda Fit was making a left turn from Los Feliz to Brand when she pulled out in front of a Toyota minivan. The Toyota driver swerved to avoid a head-on collision, but instead hit a curb and struck the bus bench injuring the two pedestrians. The two pedestrians and the driver of the Honda were taken to the hospital with injuries.

Continue reading "Los Angeles County Pedestrian Accidents Causes Three Injured in Two Separate Accidents" »

Six people were personally injured the afternoon of May 4, 2009 in an Anaheim Hills car accident after a dump truck lost its brakes and struck several vehicles at the intersection of Imperial Highway and Santa Ana Canyon Road, The Orange County Register reports. Anaheim police officials said the white dump truck traveling north on Imperial hit a Toyota Camry on the driver's side. That man who was seriously injured had to be cut out of the vehicle using the jaws of life. The truck also hit three other vehicles -- a Honda CR-V, a Honda Accord and a Honda Odyssey van. Out of the six people injured, three needed to be hospitalized.

It's indeed the miracle that the driver of the Toyota Camry who was hit by the dump truck survived this horrible Orange County car crash. According to the Anaheim Police Department's spokesman, the truck hit the Camry on the driver's side and crushed it so that the distance between the two front doors was reduced to 16 inches. This Anaheim Hills car accident could have easily ended up in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Thank God it didn't! I wish this victim and the other injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Continue reading "Anaheim Hills Car Accident Versus Dump Truck Injures Six" »

Richard A. Gomez, 32, of Escondido died the night of May 2, 2009, shortly after he suffered critical personal injuries in a San Diego pedestrian accident, the North County Times reports. Gomez was apparently crossing the street and in the westbound lane of East Valley Parkway near Rose Street, when he was struck by a Dodge Ram 350 van. The van's driver stopped and waited for police to arrive. Gomez was taken to a local hospital where he died. No charges have been filed against the driver pending an investigation.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family of Richard Gomez. My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to the California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were nine pedestrian accident fatalities and 63 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Escondido. In San Diego County as a whole, there were 51 deaths and 1,068 personal injuries involving pedestrian accidents in 2007.

Continue reading "San Diego Pedestrian Accident Kills A Man" »

The Orange County Coroner identified a man who was killed in a Garden Grove pedestrian accident as 30-year-old William Mendoza of Anaheim. According to an article in The Orange County Register, the fatal car accident occurred the morning of May 1, 2009 when Mendoza was struck and severely injured by a vehicle near the intersection of Chapman Avenue and Harbor Boulevard. Mendoza was hit by a sport utility vehicle that was going east on Chapman, Garden Grove police officials said. Mendoza was taken to UCI Medical Center where he later died.

The driver of the SUV, who has not been identified, remained at the scene and talked to police. He was not cited or arrested pending an investigation. Police are not yet sure whether Mendoza was in the crosswalk at the time of the fatal pedestrian accident. If you saw this Garden Grove pedestrian accident or have any information about it, please call Investigator Jason Perkins at 714-741-5823.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of William Mendoza for their heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to the California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were 49 personal injuries reported in Garden Grove involving pedestrian accidents. In Orange County, 41 fatalities and 726 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of pedestrian accidents.

Continue reading "Orange County Pedestrian Accident Fatally Injuries One" »

A Riverside County tour bus accident on the 215 Freeway the afternoon of May 2, 2009 injured 25 people and at least eight suffered critical injuries, according to an article in The Desert Sun. The Inland Empire Stages Ltd. bus was returning to Colton from a San Diego area casino when it veered to the right crossing two lanes and crashed into a cinder-block wall. California Highway Patrol investigators are looking into what caused the 56-year-old bus driver to lose control of the 2003 MCI E-Series Renaissance Coach, which was northbound on the freeway with 27 passengers.

The eight victims who were critically injured were taken to area hospitals. There is no word on how these victims are doing. This Riverside County bus crash occurred three days after a similar bus accident in Soledad took the lives of four French tourists and bus driver, 69-year-old John Agnew of Corona. That investigation is still continuing.

Continue reading "Perris Tour Bus Accident Injures 25" »

A San Pedro man shot and killed a pit bull that turned on him after attacking a neighbor's cat April 15, 2009, the Daily Breeze reports. The dog attack began when the cat's owner started screaming for help as her pet was being attacked by a loose pit bull. The man armed himself with a handgun from his house before walking outside to help. The dog charged towards the man as he walked down his driveway when he shot and killed it. The pit bull, which Los Angeles police officials said, weighed at least 60 pounds, had apparently escaped from another neighbor's yard and then attacked the woman's cat.

The woman had attempted to rescue her cat and even tried hitting the dog with a broom and then a brick. But according to the woman, the pit bull held onto the cat and "was just tearing it up." The badly injured cat had to be euthanized at a local veterinary hospital. The pit bull's owner was not cited because animal control officers had not seen the pit bull out of the yard or unleashed, first hand.

My heart goes out to the woman who lost her cat in this brutal dog attack. These incidents tend to be brushed aside because they don't involve any people. However, to pet owners, losing a pet especially in such a sudden, violent manner is devastating.

Continue reading "Los Angeles County Dog Attack" »

Brian Benito Ornelas, 34, of Alta Loma, was killed in a pedestrian accident the night of April 17, 2009, the San Bernardino Sun reports. Ornelas was walking in the 1500 block of West Northpark Boulevard when he was struck by an eastbound 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. The driver of the Mitsubishi, identified as 47-year-old Morris Pezant, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Police say an altercation occurred between the driver, Pezant, and friends of the victim. If you have any information about this pedestrian versus car accident, please call the San Bernardino Police Department hot line at 909-384-5656.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Brian Benito Ornelas for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 traffic accident statistics there were four fatalities and 34 personal injuries relating to pedestrian accidents in the city of San Bernardino. In San Bernardino County as a whole, there were 50 fatalities and 432 injuries relating to pedestrian accidents in 2007. Also during the same time, there were reports of 105 alcohol-related car accident fatalities in San Bernardino County.

Continue reading "San Bernardino County Pedestrian Accident Leaves One Dead" »

Cal/OSHA officials have opened an investigation into a fatal Torrance industrial job injury involving an ExxonMobil worker, Nelson Tan, 50, who died April 26, 2009 after he suffered severe burn injuries in the company's Torrance refinery. According to an article in the Daily Breeze, Tan was scalded by steam April 11, 2009 while working at the ExxonMobil refinery.

My heart goes out to the family of Nelson Tan for their tragic loss. Apparently, he was a long-time employee at that ExxonMobil refinery. I offer my deepest condolences to Tan's family, friends and co-workers. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to the California Department of Industrial Relations' 2005 industrial accident statistics, 14 people died on the job in California from burns.

Officials from the California Department of Industrial Relations say they are looking into exactly what occurred. They will be examining and analyzing the area the industrial accident to make sure that everything was operating properly and that the company and its workers were following proper guidelines. The last death at this refinery occurred April 2003 when a worker was electrocuted while working on an air conditioner.

Continue reading "Torrance Industrial Job Injury at ExxonMobil under Investigation" »

Officials have identified four French tourists killed in the April 27, 2009 Soledad bus accident as 68-year-old Daniel Le Garrec, 65-year-old Christian Montmayeur, 64-year-old Jacqueline Montmayeur and 26-year-old Michael Taveira. According to an Associated Press news report, the driver of the bus, who also died in the fatal bus accident, was identified as John Egnew. Four passengers are still in critical condition in area hospitals.

A total of 36 people were on board that Orange County-based Orion Pacific tour bus when it crashed into a guardrail and rolled over on the U.S. 101 near Soledad. The group included 34 tourists from France, a Canadian tour guide and Egnew, the American driver. California Highway Patrol officials are still interviewing witnesses and passengers and looking for any physical evidence that might point to a cause.

This is a challenge for investigators particularly because the driver is deceased. Reports that came out this week stated that Egnew was involved in a Las Vegas pedestrian accident a few years ago when he struck and injured a woman in a crosswalk. His employer settled with the husband of the woman, who suffered a brain injury in that accident.

Continue reading "Soledad Bus Accident Victims Identified" »