Wrongful Death

Published on: September 20, 2012

California State Liable for Rehab Deaths

By Brian Chase

September 10, 2012-Orange County, California-Regulations that make no sense, lack of uniform enforcement, and inadequate supervision were all reasons the Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes gave for blaming the State of California for ten deaths at rehabilitation facilities across the state, according to the Orange County Register. The decision means that families of these victims may be able to recover damages from the state for these wrongful death claims.
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Published on: September 19, 2012

Doctor Not Liable for Dementia Patient’s Collision

By Brian Chase

September 7, 2012–Santa Ana, CA–According to the Los Angeles Times, an Orange County doctor was determined to have no responsibility for a car crash caused by an 85-year-old patient he had been treating for dementia.

Dr. Arthur Daigneault certified that his patient, Lorraine Sullivan, was medically fit to drive. Sullivan later turned into oncoming traffic and killed a passenger in her car, William Powers. Powers’s family filed a lawsuit claiming that the doctor was liable for wrongful death due to the fact that he had been treating her for dementia. However, a judge ruled that Daigneault was not liable and had followed the proper procedures for certifying Sullivan’s driving abilities.

My sincere condolences go out to the family of the victim lost in this tragic accident.

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Published on: September 18, 2012

Police Arrest Man in Connection with Fatal Newport Beach Hit-and-Run

By Brian Chase

Newport Beach police have arrested a 39-year-old man in connection with a hit-and-run collision that occurred on September 14, 2012. The crash fatally injured reputed Orange County doctor and avid bicyclist, Catherine “Kit” Campion Ritz, 57. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, police arrested Michael Jason Lopez was arrested on September 18, 2012 and has been charged with hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. Ritz was killed when she was struck from behind by a pickup truck while riding her bicycle north on Pacific Coast Highway, between Ocean Vista and Vista Ridge.

My heartfelt condolences go out to everybody who knew and loved Ritz, who was apparently a respected professional and a beloved member of the community. The Daily Pilot states that Ritz was a member of the U.S. National Disaster Medical Team and had served for the last 18 years as the president of Greater Newport Physicians. Ritz was also an avid bicyclist, hiker and kayaker. This is indeed a tragic loss for her family and the community.
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Published on: September 14, 2012

Skateboarder Killed in San Bernardino County Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Jarod Maxwell, 14, was fatally injured in a San Bernardino County car accident after a car struck him as he was on his way to school. According to a news report in The Victorville Daily Press, the pedestrian accident occurred the morning of September 13, 2012 along Baldy Mesa Road in Baldy Mesa. Maxwell was riding his skateboard in the northbound lane when a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse driven by a woman in the same direction hit him. Maxwell was not wearing a helmet and sustained major injuries. He died shortly after the crash at a local hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family members and friends of Jarod Maxwell who are mourning the loss of their loved one. I offer my deepest condolences to this grieving family.
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Published on: September 12, 2012

Fatal Victorville Car Accident Involves Sheriff’s Deputy

By Brian Chase

Vanessa Rosales, 38, of Adelanto, was killed in a Victorville car accident, which officials say involved a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s patrol vehicle, the night of September 9, 2012. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, the fatal crash occurred on Air Expressway west of Village Drive. A deputy was driving a prisoner to the Apple Valley Juvenile Detention Center when the patrol car rear-ended a Honda Accord in the eastbound lanes. The Honda then swerved and struck a Mercedes.

Rosales, who was a passenger in the Honda, sustained fatal injuries. The Honda’s driver, Immysha Smith and another juvenile passenger in the Honda, were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Jennifer Tompkins, the driver of the Mercedes, the deputy and the juvenile prisoner, suffered injuries that were described as “minor.” The sheriff’s Major Accident Investigation Team is looking into the cause of this crash.
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Published on: September 11, 2012

Costa Mesa Motorcycle Accident Proves Fatal

By Brian Chase

Aaron Dobine, 27, of Laguna Niguel, was killed in a motorcycle crash in Costa Mesa after losing control of his motorcycle. According to a news article in The Orange County Register, the fatal accident occurred the evening of September 10, 2012. California Highway Patrol officials say Dobine was riding a 2010 Harley-Davidson and was making his way from the southbound 405 Freeway to the 73 toll road when he lost control and hit the center median. Dobine was thrown from his motorcycle and sustained fatal injuries. Investigators suspect that Dobine may have been traveling at a high rate of speed. At this time, they do not believe other vehicles were involved. The investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Aaron Dobine who are mourning this terrible loss. I offer my heartfelt condolences to them.
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Published on: September 4, 2012

Two Killed, Several Injured in Santa Clarita Area Car Accident

By Brian Chase

A major car accident in Santa Clarita involving two cars and a big rig left two people dead and several others injured early morning on September 4, 2012. According to a CBS Los Angeles news report, the fatal crash occurred on the 5 Freeway near Gorman. California Highway Patrol officials say the cars were traveling southbound and collided with each other for an unknown reason. Four of the injured have been hospitalized in critical condition, while five more sustained non-life-threatening injuries. At least one of the victims is a child who has been rushed to the hospital for treatment. The investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the deceased victims of this car accident. My heart also goes out to the many injured victims of this crash. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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Published on: August 28, 2012

Woman Killed in Garden Grove Pedestrian Accident

By Brian Chase

Thu Nguyen, 81, was fatally injured in a Garden Grove car accident after a car struck her. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred the morning of August 27, 2012 at the intersection of Lampson Avenue and Strathmore Drive. Investigators say Nguyen was walking south across Lampson Avenue when a car traveling east on Lampson hit her. The male driver stopped and waited with the victim until police and paramedics arrived. Police do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved. No arrests or citations were reported. Anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to contact police at 714-741-5823.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Thu Nguyen for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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Published on: August 24, 2012

UPDATE: Motorist Could Face Reckless Driving Charges in Crash that Electrocuted Two Good Samaritans

By Brian Chase

The driver of an SUV at the center of a crash that resulted in the electrocution of good Samaritans Irma Zamora, 40, and Stacey Schreiber, 39, could face reckless driving charges, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. The fatal Los Angeles car accident also led to six others including a police officer getting injured as a result of electric shock.

The freakish accident occurred the night of August 22, 2012 in the 12000 block of Magnolia Avenue in Valley Village when an SUV crashed through a stop sign and into a light pole and sheared a fire hydrant creating an electrically charged pool of water. Zamora and Schreiber who rushed to help the trapped occupants of the SUV were electrocuted. Six others are in serious condition after suffering an electric shock.

Los Angeles police officials say detectives have presented a case for charging the driver with reckless driving and are investigating possible street racing allegations. It is not clear if the driver will be charged with misdemeanors or felonies. Police do not believe that alcohol or drugs were factors. Anyone with information on the crash is urged to call Detective William Bustos of the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division at (818) 644-8000 or Officer Lisette Fuentes at (818) 644-8022.
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Published on: August 23, 2012

Two Good Samaritans Electrocuted in Valley Village Accident

By Brian Chase

Two women, one of them identified as 40-year-old Irma Zamora, were killed and five others were injured after a car crash in Valley Village. According to a report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the two women were good Samaritans who rushed to help the occupants of an SUV that crashed into a light pole near the intersection of Magnolia Boulevard and Ben Avenue, the night of August 22, 2012. The collision knocked down light pole and created a highly charged pool of water electrocuting Zamora and the other woman who came forward to help. Five others also suffered electrical shocks and were hospitalized and remain in serious condition. Officials are also looking into why the driver of the SUV lost control of the vehicle.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Irma Zamora and the other deceased victim who had good intentions in trying to save the crash victims. However, they tragically died in the process of doing a good deed. My thoughts and prayers are also with the seriously injured victims of this crash. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
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