Victims in fiery I-5 crash identified by coroner
Two people died in a fiery crash on Interstate 5 near the northern Yolo County line late Saturday night, which may have been as a result of drunken driving
The crash, which occurred at 11:10 p.m., at the I-5, I-505 off-ramp near Dunnigan, involved two vehicles both of which burst into flames after one rolled on top of the other, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The sheriff’s department said the driver of the Oldsmobile was Jorge Mora Arias, 40, of Woodland. The driver of the Honda was identified as Cheryl Ann Fortress, 34, of Paradise, Butte County
According to the CHP, received a report of a “hazardous vehicle,” later identified as a 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva, which was blacked out in the No. 1 lane on northbound I-5, and possibly facing the wrong way, according to CHP officer Bryan Konvalin. The Oldsmobile was being driven by Arias, according to the CHP.
As CHP officers were responding to the scene a second vehicle, later identified as 1992 Honda Accord, being driven by the woman from Willows, collided with the Oldsmobile.
The collision caused the Honda to roll on top of the Oldsmobile and both vehicles were immediately engulfed in flames.
Firefighters from the Dunnigan Fire Protection District responded at that time and fought the blaze, according to Dunnigan Assistant Fire Chief Michael Urlaub, but there was little they could do with drivers inside both the burning vehicles.
Cause of the Yolo County Crash
While this devastating Yolo County accident remains under investigation, the family members of those accident victims who were seriously injured would be well-advised to speak with an understanding and knowledgeable Yolo County wrongful death lawyer. An attorney such as Gary A. Kessler who has successfully handled serious injury accidents can advise the victim’s family of their legal rights to hold the driver accountable and best course of action should they wish to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Automobile Collisions and Wrongful Death Liability
While the accident on February 24 remains under investigation, the family members of the victims fatally injured would be well-advised to seek immediate consultation from an experienced wrongful death lawyer. An experienced attorney can advise the victims of their legal rights and decide the best course of action in recovering the maximum compensation for their injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Also, in unique and complex situations such as this one, an attorney can hire a highly skilled independent investigator to reconstruct the scene of the accident to determine who is at fault.
The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is a prominent and highly respected law firm in California and the United States. Gary A Kessler has been serving the people as an experienced wrongful death attorney for over twenty years dedicated and committed to obtaining the best results for his clients in each and every case. Through experience and education, our firm is able to expertly evaluate complex medical injuries and pursue wrongful death claims.
The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler has a sustaining record of outstanding results for their client’s wrongful death cases throughout California. Our firm specializes in difficult automobile vs. tractor-trailer rig(s), collision cases, uninsured motorists cases, rollover accident cases, bus and train collision litigation, defective product liability litigation, boating collision death cases, boating capsizing and drowning cases, backyard pool drownings, Jacuzzi spa drownings, association and community pool drownings, accidental shootings, tractor-trailer and commercial vehicle fatality, fuel tank fire cases and wrongful death cases.
The term “wrongful death” is defined as the death of an individual as a result of the negligence, carelessness, intentional act of another individual, corporation, company or entity. Filing a proper wrongful death claim is extremely difficult and complex for families because they are not only dealing with their grief over the death of a beloved family member, but also complex issues of compensation as well. Wrongful death claims are usually sought after by relatives, siblings, or members of the decedent’s estate who have lost a considerable amount of money as well as loss of support and grief due to the wrongful death of the decedent.
In most states, if the death of a relative or spouse was caused by the wrongful act of another, surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party or parties. In order to file a wrongful death claim, you must be able to prove that you will experience severe future emotional and financial hardship because of the loss of the death of a relative, family member or spouse.
