California Injury Blog
Five people – identified as Ana Lilia Gonzalez, 31, Lance Allen Heath, 43, and his wife Amy, 36, 57-year-old George William Miller and 37-year-old Tonya Beth Trayer — were killed in a San Diego car accident the afternoon of November 13, 2010. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the fatal car accident occurred on Highway 98 near Ocotillo in Imperial County, when 36-year-old Carlos Ramirez Bobadilla veered into a group of 12 motorcycles from a Lakeside motorcycle club. Among the five who died in this horrific car accident was Ana Gonzalez, a passenger in the Dodge Avenger driven by Bobadilla.
Six people were injured including Bobadilla and five of the motorcyclists. Bobadilla sustained broken bones. William Barnes, 57, and his 46-year-old Melanie; Kelly Halley, 42; and Wilson Trayer, whose wife died in the car accident — all sustained serious injuries. John Philip Lombardo, 55, suffered minor injuries to his leg.
DUI Ruled Out
Authorities initially believed Bobadilla may have been under the influence, but a blood test later revealed that there was no alcohol in his system. Instead, officials are now looking for a gold colored Honda Civic, whose driver apparently tried to pass the motorcyclists in an unsafe manner. Investigators say this driver may have caused Bobadilla to veer into the motorcyclists. The driver of the Civic left the scene of the car accident.
Tragic Consequences
I offer my deepest condolences to the families and friends of everyone who was killed in this tragic car versus motorcycle accident. I also wish the seriously injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep these victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
Non-Contact Hit-and-Run
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the Honda Civic may have caused the accident and then left the scene, although he did not strike any of the vehicles. This is known as a “non-contact hit-and-run.” Leaving the scene of an injury car accident is a serious crime under California law.
California Vehicle Code Section 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.”
In this particular case, the driver of the Civic left a wake of devastation behind– five people dead and six people seriously injured. The news account also states the Honda was speeding and doing in excess of 90 mph at the time. Are we to believe that this individual had no idea he caused this devastating car accident? I don’t buy that for a second! I hope officials apprehend this dangerous driver and I truly hope he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The driver is described as a male, wearing a baseball cap, driving alone and heading toward Mexico. If you have any information about this hit-and-run suspect or the vehicle involved, please visit our web site at www.hitandrunreward.com to offer an anonymous tip and become eligible to receive a $1,000 reward.
Protecting Victims’ Rights
Injured victims and families of deceased victims of this tragic car accident would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. Where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, the family of a deceased car accident victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking damages for medical and funeral costs, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.
Lost a family member in a San Diego hit-and-run car accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Ocotillo motorcycle accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys San Diego wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.
How would you react if you saw a hit-and-run car accident?
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.