California Injury Blog
Police are seeking the public’s help to find a hit-and-run driver who police say struck and injured a 9-year-old girl. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the injury crash occurred at California Street and Plum Avenue the afternoon of January 16, 2014 a couple of miles west of Ontario International Airport. The girl suffered a broken arm and facial cuts. She has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home.
The driver who left the scene of the crash is believed to be a Hispanic woman in her 30s with black hair. The vehicle has been described as champagne colored 1994 to 1996 Toyota Corolla. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ontario police at 909-395-2001, extension 4724. The investigation is ongoing.
It is indeed fortunate that the child in this case did not suffer life-threatening injuries. I wish her the very best for a quick and full recovery.
Pedestrian Crash Statistics
There were three fatalities and 49 injuries due to pedestrian accidents in Ontario, according to California Highway Patrol’s 2011 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In San Bernardino County as a whole, 39 people died and 440 were injured as a result of pedestrian crashes during the same year.
Hit-and-Run Law
Based on this news report, it appears that the girl was walking at an intersection when the Toyota struck her and took off without even stopping to help the child. Appalling! Under California law, drivers are required to stop at the scene, remain there and render aid to the injured person. California Vehicle Code 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.”
Holding Wrongdoers Accountable
I certainly hope officials are able to apprehend this driver and bring her to justice. If you have any information about the driver or the vehicle, please visit our hit-and-run web site at www.hitandrunreward.com to offer an anonymous tip and to become eligible for a $1,000 reward.
Injured victims of hit-and-run crashes would be well advised to contact an experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise victims about how their own auto insurance policy might apply to an incident where the hit-and-run driver may not have been apprehended or one where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.