California Injury Blog
Michelle Ramirez, 14, was killed in a Bakersfield car accident the evening of November 10, 2009, according to an ABC news report. Police arrested 46-year-old Glenn Russell the morning after the fatal pedestrian accident. Michelle was crossing Kern Street near 2nd Street in Taft when she was hit by a white Jeep Cherokee. Officers spotted the vehicle in Ford City and saw that Russell was working on his car trying to fix the damage from the collision. Russell apparently pled no contest to a DUI in 2007. He was booked this time on suspicion of felony hit-and-run.
My heart goes out to the family of Michelle Ramirez for their tragic loss. I offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends and schoolmates of this young car accident victim. Please keep them in your prayers.
Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were there was one fatality and two injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Taft, California. Countywide, pedestrian accidents claimed 17 lives and injured 207 people in 2007. Also, in Kern County as a whole, 142 deaths and 3,615 injuries were reported that year involving car accidents.
This news report is not clear on whether Russell was speeding, driving recklessly, distracted, intoxicated or otherwise negligent at the time of the hit-and-run accident, which killed Michelle Ramirez. If it is determined Russell struck and killed this teenager and left the scene of the accident then, I hope he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
California Car Accident Laws
Hit-and-run is a serious crime in California. According to California Vehicle Code section 20001: “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.”
In such cases, victims or their families would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will keep up with the investigation and make sure that they get the justice and compensation that they rightfully deserve. In car accidents that involve uninsured, underinsured or hit-and-run motorists, victims may be entitled to compensation through the uninsured/underinsured motorist clause in their own car insurance policy. However, these are extremely complex issues that require the attention of a knowledgeable car accident lawyer, who will remain on your side, fight for your rights and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.