California Injury Blog

A driver who caused a Fresno car accident that killed a family -- Donald Fisher, 77, his wife Arlene, 74, and their son, Brian Fisher, 55 -- is likely to face criminal changes. According to a KFSN news report, the fatal accident occurred March 9, 2010 when 32-year-old Manuel Casillas crossed into opposing traffic lanes on Jensen Avenue and struck the Fishers' vehicle head-on. Officials are still looking into what caused Casillas to go over the center divide of the roadway.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Fishers who were apparently very active and popular in their community. Tragic! My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved the Fishers. Please keep this grieving family and community in your prayers.

Continue reading "Fresno Car Accident Kills Three" »

Steven Anthony Kelley, 18, was killed in a San Diego car accident after he was struck by a two cars while crossing El Camino Real, in Carlsbad, the night of March 5, 2010. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the second driver waited at the scene, but the driver who initially struck Kelley drove away. The following day, a woman called police and told them that she may have struck Kelley. She told officials she drove away because she thought she had "struck an object" and did not realize that she may have hit a person. Kelley was crossing the northbound lanes of El Camino Real, near Camino Vida Roble.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Steven Anthony Kelley for their tragic and untimely loss. I offer my deepest condolences to them. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "San Diego Car Accident Kills Pedestrian" »

The driver of a Ford Econoline van sustained fatal injuries in a Los Angeles car accident that happened the morning of March 4, 2010 on the 405 Freeway, in Torrance. The Daily Breeze reports that police arrested the drunk driver suspected of causing the collision. Adriano Baek, 27, was booked on one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and two counts of DUI causing injury or death.

Baek was driving south on the freeway near the Crenshaw Boulevard off-ramp when he attempted an unsafe lane change and ended up rear-ending the Ford van at a high rate of speed. The van driver lost control of his vehicle, veered across lanes, hit another vehicle and went down an embankment.

I offer my heartfelt condolences to everyone who knew and loved the deceased van driver. Please keep this family in your prayers.

Continue reading "Los Angeles DUI Collision Causes Fatality" »

Steven Kroff, 75, was killed in a car accident after his vehicle crashed into a large truck at an intersection in Gilroy. According to a news report in the Gilroy Dispatch, Kroff was driving his Sebring convertible south on No Name Uno. California Highway Patrol officials said he stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Buena Vista and then pulled into the intersection in front of an oncoming Chevy Silverado pickup truck driven by a 40-year-old woman. The woman did not have a stop sign. Kroff died at the scene. Officials believe he may have been on his cell phone at the time of the collision based on the time of his last call. The driver of the truck was not seriously injured.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Steven Kroff for their tragic loss. I offer my deepest condolences to them. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "Man Killed in Car Accident at Dangerous Gilroy Intersection" »

A couple has been arrested on suspicion of murder and hit-and-run in connection with a San Bernardino car accident that killed 19-year-old Thomas Joseph Meeks and critically injured his 15-year-old stepbrother Christopher. According to a news report in the San Bernardino Sun, the couple -- Heriberto Eddie Solis, 25, and 20-year-old Glory Maria Gurrola -- was trying to escape after attempting to steal a car stereo from a vehicle at a nearby parking lot. It was during their getaway that they struck the brothers who were double-riding across the street on a bicycle.

The couple was arrested when they came into the police station to collect their 1991 Toyota Camry, which was the suspect vehicle in the Feb. 19 hit-and-run collision. Solis and Gurrola admitted to hitting the brothers, but said that they fled the scene because they were scared.

Continue reading "Suspects Apprehended in San Bernardino Fatal Hit-and-Run Car Accident" »

Authorities have identified an off-duty police officer who was killed in a Los Angeles car accident the evening of February 25, 2010, as 37-year-old Jacqueline Montalvo. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports that the accident occurred when Montalvo's vehicle crossed a median and careened into oncoming traffic. Three other vehicles were involved. One man was taken to a hospital in serious condition while three others sustained minor injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jacqueline Montalvo for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep this family in your prayers during their time of grief. I also wish the injured victims the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

Continue reading "Fatal Los Angeles Car Accident" »

A man was killed in a Los Angeles car accident involving a hit-and-run driver on the 10 Freeway. According to a CBS News report, the fatal car accident occurred the night of February 18, 2010 in the westbound 10 Freeway in West Covina near Azusa Avenue. The victim, a West Covina resident, died at the scene. Police are still searching for two suspects who California Highway Patrol officials say, fled the scene of the crash.

I offer my deepest condolences to everybody who knew and loved this man. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers during their time of grief.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Car Accident Kills Man" »

Michelle Garcia, 20, was killed in a San Diego car accident the morning of February 20, 2010 involving a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in the North County Times, Garcia was in a 2006 Lexus driven by George Reyes traveling eastbound on Avenue S in Escondido. California Highway Patrol officials say Garcia allowed his vehicle to drift over to the right shoulder. He veered back to the left, but lost control. The Lexus crossed the median, rolled over and came to rest on its roof. Garcia was ejected from the Lexus and died at the scene. CHP officials reported that she was not wearing her seatbelt. Reyes sustained major injuries, but was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

I offer my heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Michelle Garcia for their devastating loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "Woman Killed in San Diego DUI Collision" »

Myrtle Harmon, 68, was killed in a Sacramento car accident after a driver crossed over the center line into the path of her vehicle, causing a head-on crash. According to a news report in the Chico Enterprise Record, 53-year-old Juanita Maldonado was driving a Honda Civic north on the Highway 99 the afternoon of February 14, 2010 when she crossed over the center line and hit Harmon's 2005 Ford Focus, which was southbound. California Highway Patrol officials said Harmon died at the scene.

Maldonado and one of her grandchildren -- 15-year-old Erica Aguirre -- sustained serious injuries. Her 11-year-old grandson, Miguel Aguirre, suffered minor injuries. CHP officials said Maldonado was traveling about 40 to 45 mph when the Honda drifted to the right. She swerved back to the left causing the car to cross over the center line. Drugs or alcohol are not believed to be factors in this accident.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Myrtle Harmon for their tragic and devastating loss. I offer my deepest condolences to them. I also wish Maldonado and her injured grandchildren the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep these injured victims and their families in your prayers.

Continue reading "Fatal Sacramento Area Car Accident" »

A woman was killed in a San Diego car accident after she was struck by a vehicle in Lakeside, 10News reports. The woman was hit by a Ford Mustang the morning of February 16, 2010 in the 9400 block of Los Coches Road, California Highway Patrol officials said. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was not arrested or cited pending an investigation.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this deceased victim. My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved this woman. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Killed in San Diego Car Accident" »

Written February 14, 2010 by John Bisnar

The first real dive of a scuba diving adventure for 14 divers aboard the Galapagos Aggressor II ended in the death of E.G., a 23-year-old kindergarten teacher from Galveston, Texas and New York.

Due to the numerous requests for more information about what happened and how E.G. died, the following account is provided. First, my deepest condolences to E.G.'s family and friends. I have no words that will alleviate your pain or give you back what you have lost. E.G. will, however, live in our hearts and memories. But for a twist of fate, both my wife, Kimberly and I could have been with E.G. today.

Continue reading "Scuba Diving Fatality - Galapagos - February 12, 2010 - E.G." »

Cara A. Lee, 20, was killed in a Costa Mesa car accident after the driver of a Toyota pickup truck ran a red light and broadsided the vehicle in which Lee was a passenger. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal car accident occurred early morning on February 14, 2010 at the intersection of Sunflower Avenue and Sakioka Drive. Police said the driver of the Tundra pickup truck, 22-year-old Gustavo A. Vega, was fleeing an earlier traffic collision in Santa Ana.

Continue reading "Orange County DUI Car Accident Kills Woman" »

My wife, Kimberly, and I took our first dive from the diving boat, Galapagos Aggressor II, off the coast of the Galapagos Islands today. We made the first dive of our trip in a strong current. Unfortunately, tragedy struck as a young schoolteacher from Texas, about 25 years of age, who was part of our diving group, drowned during her dive. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved her. I offer my deepest condolences to her parents and her closest family members.

Our dive was off the eastern tip of North Seymour Island. We began the dive 100 yards away from shore at about 8 this morning in calm seas. In-water visibility was about 60 feet. Kimberly and I came up after 30 minutes. We knew when we came up that the young woman was missing. We had not seen her for about 15 minutes at that point. The dive master, who was in charge of our group, had already been looking for her for about 10 or 15 minutes.

Continue reading "Fatal Diving Accident off Galapagos Islands Shocks California Personal Injury Lawyer" »

A 45-year-old woman was killed in a Long Beach car accident after she was struck while crossing eastbound Seventh Street. According to a news report in The Press Telegram, the woman was hit by a red Honda Civic right outside the campus of California State Long Beach, near East Campus Drive. The fatal pedestrian accident occurred the night of February 4, 2010. Police believe the woman was a student at the university and have also said she may have been crossing the street illegally when she was hit.

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

Continue reading "Pedestrian Fatally Struck in Long Beach Car Accident" »

Richard Ciancone, 58, was killed in a Huntington Beach car accident after his motorcycle was struck at a street intersection early morning on February 7, 2010. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred when Ciancone was riding his motorcycle west on Heil Avenue near Bradbury Lane. That's when Nathan Bower, 19, the driver of a 2007 Honda Element heading east on Heil, apparently attempted to turn left onto Bradbury Lane and collided with the motorcycle. Ciancone was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained fatal injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved Richard Ciancone. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends for their devastating loss. This grieving family will certainly be in my prayers.

Continue reading "Fatal Orange County Motorcycle Accident" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

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" »