California Injury Blog

A Fresno car accident involving a suspected drunk driver fatally injured a 76-year-old man the afternoon of January 24, 2010. According to a news report in the Fresno Bee, the fatal car accident occurred when 23-year-old Michael Freeman who was traveling west on McKinley Avenue, struck a Nissan Frontier that was going south on the Highway 145. The Nissan's driver was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. Freeman was also injured. Authorities arrested Freeman on suspicion of drunk driving. A 22-year-old passenger in Freeman's car also sustained major injuries.

My heart goes out to this victim's family for their sudden and devastating loss. They will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "Fresno DUI Car Accident Kills Driver" »

A San Francisco car accident that occurred the morning of January 27, 2010 has left four people with serious injuries. According to a CBS News report, the injury collision happened at the intersection of Arch Street and Brotherhood Way. One of the drivers fled the crash scene. However, he was apprehended immediately afterward by responding police officers. Three injured victims from the car that was struck by the hit-and-run suspect were taken to an area hospital. The victims, including an infant, are expected to survive.

I sympathize with the victims who apparently suffered serious but non life-threatening injuries in this car accident. I'm pleased to note that they are recovering. I hope and pray that they recover quickly and completely.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 51 fatalities and 3,632 injuries involving car accidents in San Francisco.

Continue reading "Four Sustain Injuries in San Francisco Car Accident" »

A 27-year-old man faces two counts of murder and other charges stemming from a fatal Los Angeles car accident, which killed 20-year-old Renee Hardy and 22-year-old Telassie Dague. According to a news report in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Alan Michael McConnell was intoxicated early morning January 23, 2010 as he drove east on Foothill Boulevard in La Verne in Dague's car. The car collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Foothill and Damien Avenue. McConnell tried to flee the scene of the crash, lost control and hit a tree in the median. Hardy and Dague sustained fatal injuries, but McConnell was uninjured.

McConnell is also facing four misdemeanor charges for driving intoxicated, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license and for driving without proof of insurance, which is an infraction. He is facing murder charges because he has a prior DUI conviction.

My heart goes out to the families and friends of Renee Hardy and Telassie Dague for their untimely loss. This story is yet another tragic reminder of the consequences of drinking and driving. It's a no-win situation for everyone concerned. Tragic!

Continue reading "Murder Charges Filed in Los Angeles DUI Car Accident" »

A 76-year-old man was fatally injured in a Fresno car accident after his vehicle was struck by a suspected drunk driver the afternoon of January 24, 2010. The Fresno Bee reports that 23-year-old Michael Freeman was heading west on McKinley Avenue when he struck a Nissan Frontier, which was southbound on Highway 145. The driver of the Nissan was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. Freeman sustained major injuries, but was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Dustin Perger, 22, who was a passenger in Freeman's car, was also hospitalized with serious injuries.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased victim for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading "Fatal Fresno DUI Car Accident" »

Tung Hoang, 34, was critically injured in a Garden Grove car accident after he was hit by a car while trying to cross the street. According to a news report in the Garden Grove Journal, Hoang was injured in the collision the night of January 22, 2010 while walking across Ward Street near Bolsa Avenue. He was transported with critical injuries to an area hospital. The driver of the vehicle that struck Hoang was identified as 21-year-old Nguyen Vu. He was apparently going north on Ward when the injury accident occurred. Police have not ruled out the involvement of alcohol or drugs. Vu has not been cited or arrested pending a police investigation. Anyone who witnessed this major injury collision is asked to call Garden Grove police at 714-741-5823.

My heart goes out to Tung Hoang, who has apparently sustained critical injuries in this pedestrian accident. I hope and pray that he makes it through his injuries and has a speedy recovery. Hoang and his family will certainly be in my prayers.

Continue reading "Orange County Car Accident Injures Pedestrian" »

As car accident victims who have been catastrophically injured will need to seek compensation for their losses. In many cases you will have to collect some or all of your settlement from an insurance company. Insurance companies have been in the business of making money for some time. Giving away their hard earned money is not something they usually do without a fight.

Continue reading "Why Do Insurance Companies Limit Payouts? " »

A 54-year-old woman was seriously injured in a Long Beach car accident after the SUV she was driving was hit by a car pulling out of a parking lot. The Press Telegram reports that a 63-year-old driver of a Ford Taurus pulled out of a parking lot striking the woman's Toyota Landcruiser the morning of January 7, 2010, at the intersection of Redondo Avenue and Kilroy Street. The impact from the collision sent the SUV through a chain link fence and it came to a stop over the edge of an embankment near the 405 Freeway. Firefighters and other emergency personnel had to extricate the woman from the SUV. She was transported to a local trauma unit with severe injuries. The driver of the Ford was uninjured.

My heart goes out to this woman who has apparently been severely injured in this horrific car crash. I hope and pray that she recovers quickly and completely from her injuries. This injured victim will certainly be in my prayers.

Continue reading "Long Beach Car Accident Injures Woman" »

Four people were injured in a Riverside car accident the afternoon of January 23, 2010 after a head-on collision. The North County Times reports that the injury collision occurred at the intersection of Via Volcano and Tenaja Road in Temecula. California Highway Patrol officials say that a Camaro going north on Via Volcano at a high rate of speed crossed over into opposing lanes of traffic and collided with an SUV. Officials said another car was also involved in this collision.

The Camaro's driver suffered neck injuries and two broken legs. Two passengers in the Camaro, aged 9 and 17, sustained minor injuries. The driver of the SUV also suffered a broken leg. No details were available about the occupants of the third car. All injured victims were transported to a local hospital. Officials do not believe drugs or alcohol were a factor.

My heart goes out to the injured victims in this car accident especially the driver of the SUV and the two children. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Continue reading "Riverside Car Accident Injures Four" »

A security company worker who was killed in a Riverside car accident has been identified by local officials as 62-year-old Paul John Rado. The Mountain News reports that Rado was on the job when he was driving a 2003 Ford Ranger pickup truck on the Highway 189, when he suddenly lost control and crashed, the morning of January 19, 2010. The truck rolled down an embankment and overturned. Rado was found by a co-worker who came looking for him when he did not return from his morning rounds. California Highway Patrol officials are looking into what caused this fatal car accident.

I offer my heartfelt sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Paul John Rado for their tragic loss. His grieving family will certainly be in my prayers.

Continue reading "Worker Fatally Injured in Riverside Car Accident" »

A man was seriously injured in a San Diego car accident after a car struck him the morning of January 20, 2010. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the accident occurred on El Cajon Boulevard near 50th Street in the City Heights area when the man was struck by a 1992 Chrysler. The driver remained at the scene and has apparently not been cited or arrested pending an official investigation.

My heart goes out to this injured pedestrian and his family. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery from his serious injuries. This injured victim and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "San Diego Car Accident Injures Pedestrian" »

Sylvia Ziranda, 38, was killed in a car accident the night of January 20, 2010 after the vehicle in which she was a passenger was struck by a drunk driver, according to the Visalia Times Delta. California Highway Patrol officials said 23-year-old Tomas Hernandez was driving a 1991 Honda north on Road 204 near List Avenue, in Exeter, when he lost control and crashed head-on with a southbound Nissan pickup truck. Andres Rubio Soltero, 42, who was the driver of the Nissan, sustained minor injuries while his passenger, Ziranda, died from her injuries. Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and was transported to a Fresno hospital in critical condition.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Sylvia Ziranda, who have suffered a tremendous loss. I offer my deepest condolences to them. Please keep them in your prayers. I'm also relieved that Soltero did not suffer any catastrophic injuries in this accident. I wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery from his injuries.

Continue reading "California DUI Car Accident Proves Fatal for Woman" »

Feng Zhu, 54, was killed in a San Francisco car accident after she was struck while walking in a crosswalk along a busy residential street in the West Portal area. According to a news report in the San Francisco Examiner, Zhu was walking north on Sloat Boulevard near Forest View Drive the evening of January 6, 2010 when she was hit by a vehicle driven by a 68-year-old man. The crosswalk in which Zhu was walking was unlit, police said. Zhu was taken to a local hospital where she died the following morning. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Feng Zhu. My heart goes out especially to her grieving family members. They will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "San Francisco Car Accident Kills Pedestrian" »

A man was critically injured in a Long Beach car accident after he was struck by a vehicle while walking in a marked crosswalk the morning of January 14, 2010. According to a news report in The Press Telegram, the victim was walking north in a crosswalk at Orizaba Avenue when he was struck by a van going east on Ocean Boulevard. The collision caused the victim to be thrown about 30 feet away from the point of impact. He was transported to a local hospital where he is said to be in critical condition. The driver has been cited as failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

My heart goes out to this seriously injured victim and his family. I hope and pray that he recovers completely from his injuries. He will certainly be in my prayers.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Severely Injured in Long Beach Car Accident" »

A 15-year-old female student sustained serious injuries in a San Diego car accident after she was struck by an SUV driven by another student at the Torrey Pines High School parking lot. According to a news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, a 16-year-old student was driving a 1994 Chevy Blazer in the parking lot the morning of January 14, 2010 and had made a stop at a stop sign. When he started to drive again, he felt something strike the SUV. The young driver then stopped and found the teen pedestrian lying on the ground. She was transported to a local hospital with serious head injuries, but is expected to survive. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to this young victim and her family for what they are going through right now. I hope and pray that this teenager makes a quick and complete recovery. Please keep her in your prayers.

Continue reading "Teen Pedestrian Seriously Injured in San Diego Car Accident" »

Ryan Wade Woosley, 37, was killed in a Riverside car accident after his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle at a Palm Springs intersection. According to a news report on KMIR6, Woosley was riding his motorcycle east on Dinah Shore Drive the afternoon of January 15, 2010 when he crashed into a white Buick making a turn at Crossley Road. The Buick then collided with a BMW. Woosley died of his injuries. The driver and passenger of the Buick sustained minor injuries while BMW's driver and passenger were uninjured.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ryan Wade Woosley for their devastating loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading "Riverside Car Accident Kills Motorcyclist" »

A woman who was killed in a Riverside car accident on the Ortega Highway the afternoon of January 13, 2010, has been identified by local authorities as 46-year-old Frankie G. Hill. The Desert Sun reports that Hill was driving a pickup truck in Lake Elsinore when her vehicle crossed into opposing lines of traffic and crashed head-on with another pickup truck. The accident occurred on the highway near Grand Avenue, California Highway Patrol officials said. Firefighters had to extricate Hill from the wreckage. She died at the scene. The other vehicle's driver was not seriously injured, but his passenger was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

My deepest sympathies go out to Frankie Hill's family for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my condolences to everyone who knew and loved this woman. I also hope and pray that the seriously injured passenger here makes a quick and complete recovery. The victims and their families will be in my prayers.

Continue reading "Car Accident in Riverside Leaves One Dead" »

A man who was struck and killed in an Orange County car accident the evening of January 9, 2010, has been identified as 58-year-old Charles Reginald Conwell. The Orange County Register reports that the fatal pedestrian accident occurred in the 1700 block of Laguna Canyon Road, where Conwell was crossing the street. He was hit by a minivan driven by a 45-year-old Mission Viejo woman. Officials say Conwell was not walking inside a marked crosswalk. He was transported to a local hospital where he died.

I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Conwell. Apparently, he was a transient and a familiar face in the area. This fatally injured victim will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "Laguna Beach Car Accident Kills Man" »

A woman sustained fatal injuries in a Los Angeles car accident after she was struck by a vehicle near a street intersection in Lancaster. According to a CBS news report, the woman was hit by a vehicle near 10th Street West and Avenue I, in Lancaster, the evening of January 13, 2010. Police officials said it was initially believed that the woman had not suffered major injuries and that she was not in a life-threatening situation. She had complained of slight pain to the abdominal area and had minor injuries to her to her arm and head. She was taken to the hospital where her condition became worse overnight, causing her to undergo surgery. Apparently, she died during surgery. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this deceased victim for their tragic and sudden loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this victim. They will certainly be in my prayers.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Sustains Fatal Injuries in Los Angeles Car Accident" »

An 8-year-old boy sustained injuries in a Riverside car accident the afternoon of January 5, 2010 after his bicycle was struck by a pickup truck while he was riding across an intersection. According to a news report in The Valley News, the boy and another child were riding their bikes across Campanula Way at Semena Street, in Temecula, when a pickup truck hit the boy. The bicycle was dragged underneath the truck for about 50 feet. The other child was not injured. But the boy was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for moderate injuries.

I'm extremely relieved that this child survived this accident. Officials are saying that the boy's helmet was so badly damaged that had he not been wearing it, he would have suffered catastrophic injuries. The boy's helmet basically saved his life! I hope and pray that he recovers quickly and completely from his injuries. Please keep this young victim in your prayers.

Continue reading "Riverside Car Accident Injures Boy Riding Bicycle" »

Sumiko Maria Thomas, 81, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident on January 6, 2010 after she was hit by a vehicle while crossing the street. According to a news report in the Victorville Daily Press, Thomas was crossing Country Club Drive near Makai Court in Victorville, when a 2005 silver Cadillac CTS struck her. California Highway Patrol officials said Thomas was taken to an area hospital where she died. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sumiko Maria Thomas for their tragic loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this woman. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading "San Bernardino Car Accident Kills Elderly Woman" »

A 12-year-old boy sustained major injuries in a San Bernardino car accident after he was struck by a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in the Victorville Daily Press, the major injury pedestrian accident occurred the evening of January 10, 2010, when the child was skateboarding along the shoulder of the road near Lime and E streets in Hesperia. A truck driven by 49-year-old Todd Dean Thomas then hit him.

The boy suffered severe head injuries and had a compound fracture of one of his legs. He was transported to an area hospital where he is listed in stable condition. Officials conducted a DUI investigation at the location of the crash and determined that Thomas was under the influence. He has been arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving.

Continue reading "Boy Seriously Injured in San Bernardino DUI Car Accident" »

A 31-year-old man was killed in a Los Angeles motorcycle accident early morning on January 8, 2010, the Daily Breeze reports. The motorcyclist, who has not yet been identified was riding north on the 405 Freeway in Torrance when he crashed into the back of a disabled big-rig blocking the lanes. California Highway Patrol officials said the tractor-trailer's front tire had blown out. The driver then swerved across all lanes and ended up blocking the carpool and number one lanes. The motorcyclist struck the rear wheel of the big-rig's left side. He was thrown into the tractor's cab and sustained fatal injuries. The truck driver was not injured.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of this deceased accident victim for their tragic and sudden loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to them and will keep them in my prayers.

Continue reading "Fatal Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident" »

Two pedestrians sustained injuries in a San Francisco car accident after they were struck by a vehicle in a crosswalk. CBS News reports that the injury pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of Kirk Avenue and Madeline Drive near an elementary school in San Jose, the morning of January 5, 2010. Injured in this collision were a crossing guard and a woman in a wheelchair. The driver, who told police she couldn't see the pedestrians because of the glare, was cited for failing to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

It is indeed fortunate that neither of these pedestrians was seriously injured in this car accident. I hope and pray that both injured victims recover quickly and completely from their injuries.

Continue reading "Pedestrians Injured in San Francisco Area Car Accident " »

Three people sustained injuries in a San Diego car accident after a car and bus collided at an El Cajon street intersection. 10news reports that a Metropolitan Transit System coach collided with a car at the intersection of Douglas and Van Houten avenues the morning of January 4, 2010. The driver of the car was seriously injured and had to be extricated from the vehicle by emergency personnel. The driver was apparently unconscious and not breathing at the time. Officials said two of the passengers in the bus were also transported to an area hospital with injuries.

I sympathize with all the victims of this crash. I sincerely hope this seriously injured driver makes a quick and complete recovery. The injured victims will certainly be in my prayers.

Continue reading "Three Injured in San Diego Car Accident" »

Gustavo Ramirez, 30, was killed the morning of January 5, 2010 in a Long Beach truck accident after his bicycle was struck by a big rig. According to a news report in The Press Telegram, the accident occurred at the intersection of Shoreline Drive and Shoreline Village Drive. Ramirez was riding east on the south sidewalk of Shoreline when he entered the crosswalk on the south side of the street. That was when he hit the big rig as it turned right from eastbound Shoreline onto Shoreline Village Drive. Police are still looking into what exactly caused this fatal accident. Ramirez crashed into the right side of the trailer just behind the cab. Investigators are looking into whether Ramirez might have been distracted or if he simply misjudged his speed.

I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved this avid bicyclist. Apparently Ramirez was an experienced rider. My heart goes out to his family as well as the cycling community in Long Beach that is grieving his loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading "Bicyclist Killed in Long Beach Truck Accident" »

Corbin White, 18, was killed in an Orange car accident after the vehicle in which she was a passenger was rear-ended by a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the accident occurred early morning on January 3, 2010 at the intersection of Main Street and MacArthur Boulevard in Santa Ana when 36-year-old Robert Charles Serrano slammed his BMW into a Toyota Scion carrying White, who died the next day from her injuries. Serrano fled the scene of the accident, but was arrested shortly afterward at the home of a relative. He has been charged with one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and one felony count of fleeing an accident scene.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this young victim, Corbin White, for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this teenager. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading "Fatal Orange County DUI Car Accident" »

A 64-year-old woman was hospitalized after she was injured in a dog bite incident on January 1, 2010 in Watsonville, a city in the San Francisco Bay Area. According to a news report in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, the woman was walking in the neighborhood the afternoon of New Year's Day when a pit bull broke free of a tether in an unfenced backyard and attacked the woman, biting her on her left calf. Officials are considering filing charges against the dog owner.

Continue reading "Dog Bite Injures Woman" »

A 65-year-old man was killed in a San Diego car accident the morning of January 3, 2010, after an SUV plowed into the restaurant where he was eating breakfast and struck him. According to a news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, the silver Honda CRV, driven by a 74-year-old man, slammed into a Carl's Jr. restaurant in El Cajon and sent the man hurtling from the front booth where he was eating, to the other side of the building. The driver, who has not been identified, sustained moderate injuries. No one else was injured in the crash.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of this victim for their heartbreaking loss. Employees at the Carl's Jr. said the man was a regular for breakfast at their restaurant. Tragic! This grieving family will certainly be in my prayers.

Continue reading "San Diego Car Accident Kills Man Eating Breakfast" »

A 46-year-old woman and her 9-year-old daughter sustained serious injuries in a San Diego car accident the morning of December 31, 2009, after the vehicle they were in was rear-ended by a driver who officials say may have been under the influence of prescription drugs. According to a news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, the major injury crash occurred on Sports Arena Boulevard near West Point Loma Boulevard, when the driver of a Toyota 4Runner failed to stop and rear-ended a Toyota Camry and at least three other vehicles stopped at a red light. The woman and her daughter were in the Toyota Camry. The girl sustained severe head injuries. The driver of the 4Runner is suspected of being under the influence of prescription drugs.

My heart goes out to the woman and her young daughter who were the most seriously injured victims of this car accident. I hope and pray they both have a quick and complete recovery. They will certainly be in my prayers.

Continue reading "Two Seriously Injured in San Diego Car Accident" »

Yolanda Gonzales, a 49-year-old mother of three, was killed in a Bakersfield car accident after she was hit by a vehicle while crossing the street. The fatal pedestrian accident occurred the night of December 18, 2009 on East Truxtom Avenue near Gage Street. The driver did not stop at the scene. Gonzales was critically injured and died later at an area hospital. There is no suspect description yet, but officials say the hit-and-run vehicle may have been a white Dodge Neon. Authorities are looking for the suspect and have announced a $3,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest in this case.

My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Yolanda Gonzalez. I offer my deepest sympathies, especially to her three children who only a few years ago, lost their father. Please keep this grieving family in your prayers.

Continue reading "Bakersfield Fatal Hit-and-Run Car Accident" »

A woman was critically injured in a Los Angeles car accident after her car hit a pickup truck the morning of December 29, 2009. The Press Telegram reports that this car accident happened at the intersection of Bellflower Boulevard and Alondra Boulevard. The victim had to be extricated from the wreckage with heavy equipment, fire officials said. She was transported to an area hospital where she is said to be in critical condition.

My heart goes out to this injured victim and her family. I hope and pray that she was not catastrophically injured and that she makes a speedy and complete recovery. She will certainly be in my prayers.

Continue reading "Woman Injured in Los Angeles Car Accident" »