Wrong way driver causes fatality
Kellie Hughes, 50, of Pinon Hills was killed and two others injured Friday morning in a wrong-way crash on the Interstate 15 freeway near the Bear Valley Road off ramp, according to a report by the San Bernardino County Sheriff Coroner Department.
On December 7, at 7:28 AM, The California Highway Patrol received a call of a “wrong way driver” traveling northbound on the southbound I-15 at a high rate of speed. At approximately 0735 hours, California Highway Patrol dispatch received another call advising that the wrong way driver collided with another vehicle southbound I-15 near the Bear Valley Road off ramp. Several officers responded to the scene to find a white 1994 Cherokee Jeep had collided head-on with a 2007 Mazda RX3. The front passenger of the Cherokee, Kelly Hughes, a front seat passenger of Pinon Hills, was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the injuries sustained in the collision. The drivers of the Cherokee and Mazda sustained minor injuries and were transported to local hospitals.
Cause of the San Bernardino County Crash
As a passenger, the deceased likely could have done nothing to prevent this fatal collision that ultimately took his life. The California Highway Patrol will surely look at the speed of the vehicle, witness reports, and other factors to determine what occurred and who was responsible. Collisions such as this one can have countless causes, including unsafe passing maneuvers, swerving to avoid an object in the road, falling asleep at the wheel, driving under the influence, or driver distraction.
Automobile Collisions and Wrongful Death Liability
While the accident on December 9 remains under investigation, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to seek immediate consultation from a personal injury 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.
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 liabilty 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.
