Toddler Killed After Being Hit by Commercial Vehicle in Riverside County

Nazarey Flores Arizmendi, a 2-year-old boy, was killed after he was struck by a commercial truck in Moreno Valley the morning of Sept. 12. According to a KTLA news report, firefighters responded to the 24000 block of Fir Avenue after getting a report of a child hit by a commercial vehicle. They arrived at the scene and found the young boy dead. The Coroner’s report said the boy dead about eight minutes after being struck. No other details were immediately provided about the incident. Police do not believe drugs or alcohol played a part in this incident. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of this young child for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Children and Crashes

Based on this news report, it appears that the child was struck by a commercial vehicle. A number of children this age are killed or seriously injured by a driver who is backing up or simply did not see them. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 200 people are killed and 17,000 injured each year in back-over crashes. Bigger cars, SUVs and commercial trucks mean bigger blind spots. Children under the age of 5 account for 44 percent of the fatalities in these types of crashes.

What Caused This Tragic Crash?

Police are still conducting an investigation into this tragic incident. There are a number of unanswered questions here. Was the driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs? Was the driver distracted by an electronic device, or was he driving recklessly at the time of the crash? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway that prevented the driver from seeing the child? These are some of the questions that must be asked in these types of cases.

In this particular case, if the driver is determined to have been at fault, the driver of the commercial vehicle and his or her employer can be held liable for the child’s wrongful death. Families in such cases may be able to seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, pain and suffering and loss of love, care and companionship. An experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer will be able to advise injured victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options.

Source: https://ktla.com/2018/09/12/toddler-dies-after-being-struck-by-commercial-vehicle-in-moreno-valley/