California Injury Blog

Published on: June 19, 2009

San Bernardino Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Kills Skateboarder

By Brian Chase

Dustin Rogers Martin, 17, was killed in a San Bernardino County pedestrian accident after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver. According to a news report in the San Bernardino Sun, Dustin was riding a skateboard on Cottonwood Avenue near Poplar Street the morning of June 15, 2009 when he was hit by a sedan. The driver, Kenneth Stotelmyre, left the scene, but later returned with his father. Stotelmyre has been arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Dustin Rogers Martin for their heartbreaking and tragic loss. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved this young man. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 traffic accident statistics, there were four fatalities and seven injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Hesperia. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 50 fatalities and 432 personal injuries involving pedestrian accidents were reported in 2007.

In this particular case, it’s not quite clear, based on the newspaper report, whose fault this fatal pedestrian accident was. Did the driver, Stotelmyre, have enough time to stop? How old is Stotelmyre? Was he distracted, driving reckless or driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances? These are all important questions that need to be answered to determine whether there was any negligence and also the level of negligence that may have existed here.
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Published on: June 18, 2009

San Bernardino County Pedestrian Accident Kills One in Chino

By Brian Chase

Meiyun Kang, 82, was killed in a San Bernardino pedestrian accident the morning of June 16, 2009, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reports. The Chino pedestrian accident occurred when 76-year-old Mary Lemos, who was driving a 2003 Honda Accord west on Riverside Drive near Cypress Avenue, struck Kang. Chino police officials said Kang attempted to cross Riverside from the south side and was hit by Lemos. A witness apparently told police that Kang crossed the street outside of the crosswalk area. Kang was pronounced dead at the scene. Lemos was uninjured. If you have more information about this fatal San Bernardino County pedestrian accident, please call Chino police at 909-590-5571.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Meiyun Kang. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Kang. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were three fatalities and 11 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Chino. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 50 fatalities and 432 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of pedestrian accidents.
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Published on: June 18, 2009

San Bernardino Bus Accident Leaves Drunk Driver Dead and Six Passengers Injured

By Brian Chase

Six people were injured in a San Bernardino County bus accident after a suspected drunk driver in a pickup crashed into the charter bus carrying 23 passengers from the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino to Los Angeles. According to a news article in the San Bernardino Sun, 32-year-old Vernon Christopher Hernandez ran a red light at the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Mirada Road in San Bernardino the night of June 15, 2009 and slammed into the bus. Hernandez died in the bus crash.

After the initial impact, the bus and truck continued sliding 20 to 30 yards. The bus then crashed into a large block wall. Six passengers on the bus suffered personal injuries and all 23 were pulled through the windows after the bus crashed into the wall, San Bernardino County Fire Department officials said. The Los Angeles-bound charter bus had just picked up the passengers from the casino. Police are apparently still investigating what caused the bus-car accident, but based on the preliminary investigation, they are placing the blame on the driver of the pickup truck. Police say they believe alcohol or drugs may have played a part in this bus collision.

I’m relieved that other than the suspected drunk driver, no one else was seriously hurt or killed in this San Bernardino bus accident. I wish the injured bus passengers the very best for a quick and complete recovery.
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Published on: June 17, 2009

San Bernardino County Pedestrian Accident Kills One

By Brian Chase

Crystal Smith, a 16-year-old girl, was killed in a San Bernardino County pedestrian accident after she was struck by a motorist while crossing Highway 395 early morning June 13, 2009, the San Bernardino Sun reports. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials, who are investigating the fatal car versus pedestrian accident, say the driver of a Chevy Cavalier, a 28-year-old woman, did not see Crystal crossing the Adelanto street because of a tractor-trailer that was driving north in the lane next to her.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Crystal Smith for their tragic and untimely loss. My heart especially goes out to the girl’s parents. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were no fatalities and one personal injury involving pedestrian accidents in Adelanto. It would seem pedestrian accidents are not all that common in Adelanto. However, in San Bernardino County as a whole, it’s a different story. In 2007, 50 fatalities and 432 personal injuries were reported in San Bernardino County as a result of pedestrian accidents.
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Published on: June 17, 2009

California Zicam Attorney: FDA Zicam Warning

By Brian Chase

Most California Zicam lawyers are aware of the recent warnings issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has warned consumers against using three Zicam cold remedy products containing zinc, after receiving more than 130 reports of serious Zicam side effects, particularly loss of the sense of smell. According to the FDA alert, many users said they lost their sense of smell with the first dose of Zicam. Others said they lost their sense of smell after repeated use of the defective Zicam products. The three Zicam products that the FDA is warning consumers against are:

Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs and
Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (a discontinued product)

The FDA is saying that consumers who have been using or are about to use these over-the-counter Zicam cold medications must stop immediately because they are associated with a condition known as anosmia or loss of sense of smell. This condition, officials say, may be either long lasting or permanent. This type of pharmaceutical drug negligence can cause serious problems to anyone that uses these recalled Zicam products.

Loss of one’s sense of smell is a serious problem that can not only adversely affect a person’s quality of life, but it can also be a real danger because it limits a person’s ability to detect the smell of gas or smoke or other signs of danger in the environment. FDA officials have apparently issued Matrixx Initiatives, manufacturer of these defective Zicam products, a warning letter stating that these products cannot be marketed without FDA approval.
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Published on: June 16, 2009

Long Beach Big Rig Truck Accident Fatally Injuries Driver

By Brian Chase

A truck driver was killed in a fiery Long Beach big rig truck accident the night of June 13, 2009, the Long Beach Press Telegram reports. Traffic accident investigators believe that the tanker trailer plunged off the road and into a river bed while making the transition from the eastbound 91 Freeway to the northbound 710 Freeway, California Highway Patrol officials said. The cause of the truck accident including the speed of the tanker is under investigation. Investigators believe the freeway columns may have suffered structural damage as a result of this fatal truck accident.

My heart goes out to the friends and family of this truck driver, who was fatally injured in this big rig truck accident. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers. It is indeed a relief that no one else was injured or killed in this horrific truck accident.
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Published on: June 16, 2009

Bicycle Accident Spurs Concern about Dangerous Roadway Condition

By Brian Chase

Local residents in the Tamalpais Valley in the San Francisco area are crying out for better bicycle safety after 26-year-old Claire Diepenbrock suffered horrific injuries in a bicycle accident on May 26, 2009. According to a news report in the Marin Independent Journal, Diepenbrock was injured after she was hit by two cars while riding her bicycle in the busy stretch of Highway 1 near Tam junction. This roadway has apparently been the subject of numerous calls for speed limit signs and wider shoulders by community members over the years who believe a dangerous roadway condition exists on this roadway.

Community activists and local groups have been re-energized by Claire Diepenbrock’s bicycle accident and resulting injuries. Many have sent out letters seeking changes to local politicians as well the as the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Diepenbrock suffered multiple fractures to her skull, jaw, cheekbones and ribs, a broken clavicle and punctured lung. Doctors are still assessing the extent of her brain injuries and possible brain damage. However, she is said to be improving.

My heart goes out to the injured victim Claire Diepenbrock and her family members who are reeling from the shock of her terrible injuries. I hope and pray that she makes a complete recovery.
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Published on: June 15, 2009

Orange County Motorcycle Accident Injures La Habra Police Officer

By Brian Chase

A La Habra police officer suffered leg injuries in an a Orange County motorcycle accident, The Orange County Register reports. The motorcycle accident occurred the afternoon of June 12, 2009 on La Habra Boulevard near Harbor Boulevard. La Habra police said the collision occurred when the motorcycle officer was traveling west on La Habra Boulevard and a black Honda Accord that was pulling out of a driveway struck him. The officer apparently sustained minor injuries. No one in the Accord was injured.

It is indeed fortunate that the La Habra police officer did not suffer serious injuries in this Orange County motorcycle accident. I wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there was one fatal motorcycle accident and 13 motorcycle accidents involving injuries in La Habra. In Orange County as a whole, 24 deaths and 752 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of motorcycle accidents.
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Published on: June 15, 2009

Fullerton Car Accident Injures Two Women

By Brian Chase

Two women, including one pregnant woman, have been hospitalized with serious personal injuries they sustained in a Fullerton car accident the morning of June 12, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. The Orange County car accident occurred at the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Hermosa Drive when a white Toyota Camry driven by one woman collided with a Ford Explorer driven by a woman in her 20s who was said to be about eight months pregnant. Both women, who have not yet been identified, were taken to area hospitals. There is no update yet about their condition or the extent of their injuries.

I hope neither of these women suffered major injuries in this Orange County car accident. I wish them both the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 traffic accident statistics, there were five fatalities and 739 injuries involving car accidents in Fullerton. In Orange County as a whole, 178 deaths and 14,185 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in 2007.
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Published on: June 14, 2009

Torrance Car Accident Victim’s Family Pleads for Fair Investigation

By Brian Chase

Earlier this week, we posted “Will The Driver That Killed My Husband Ever Be Held Accountable?” written by our client, Deborah Reichle, who lost her husband, David Reichle, in a horrific car versus pedestrian accident on a Torrance street right outside their friends’ home in Torrance, Thanksgiving morning 2008. David suffered severe brain injury and died five days after the jeep driven by Sara Sherbin struck him. But even as she is dealing with pain, grief and financial instability in the wake of her husband’s death, Deborah is also dealing with shoddy car accident investigationby the Torrance Police Department, which may help Sherbin walk away from this entire episode as if nothing happened. And that is just plain wrong!

Here’s what happened. Sherbin drove down a very wide and quiet residential street. She claimed later that she didn’t see David getting out of his car and turning to talk to a friend on the sidewalk. Sherbin plowed through David and didn’t even stop after she hit him. Instead, she over-corrected and shot across the street before she came to a stop two houses away. Deborah believes Sherbin was driving recklessly that day and had counted on the Torrance Police Department to perform an unbiased investigation and come out with the truth.

But Deborah Reichle has been sorely disappointed. The investigating officer’s report was missing key witness statements thereby diminishing Sherbin’s liability. In fact, the report even suggests that David may have been at fault for exiting his van although he was fully out of the van and in plain view of Sherbin as she drove down the street. All Sherbin got was a minor traffic citation. She has not been charged and no charges are pending.
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