California Injury Blog
Investigators are seeking the driver of a work truck, which they say struck and killed 34-year-old Miguel Gutierrez Fabian who was helping a stranded teen driver on the 91 Freeway in Cerritos early morning on Sept. 29. According to a KTLA news report, Fabian died at the scene of the hit and run on the eastbound 91 Freeway near Bloomfield Avenue in Cerritos.
Fatal Hit and Run Crash
California Highway Patrol officials said Fabian was assisting a 16-year-old boy with his vehicle that had run out of gas on the right shoulder when he was struck by an unknown vehicle that was described as a white work truck with wooden rails on the bed of the truck. Officials say the truck had collision damage to the right front side.
The driver of the truck kept driving and did not stop to assist the victim, officials said. Fabian died at the scene. No other injuries were reported. It was not clear whether Fabian knew the young driver he was helping out before this incident. Anyone with information about this fatal hit-and-run crash is asked to contact CHP’s Santa Fe Springs office at 562-868-0503.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Miguel Gutierrez Fabian for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Laws and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the pickup truck struck Fabian who was helping out the stranded teen motorist and then fled the scene without even stopping to help the mortally wounded victim. Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a), it is illegal to leave the scene of an injury or fata car accident. Drivers are required under the law to stop immediately, remain at the scene of the accident, exchange pertinent information with other parties involved in the crash, and most importantly, help the injured victim get prompt medical attention, which could make the difference between life and death sometimes.
In such cases where negligence or wrongdoing may have been involved, families of deceased victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles hit and run lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. An experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney will also be able to advise victims about how their own auto insurance policy might apply to an incident where the at-fault driver may not have been identified.
Source: https://ktla.com/2019/09/29/norwalk-man-killed-by-hit-and-run-driver-while-helping-motorist-who-ran-out-of-gas-on-the-91-freeway-in-cerritos/