With rising gas prices and more people making wellness a priority, individuals have been choosing to walk from one place to another more than ever. In Fresno County, handfuls of pedestrians are injured and even lose their lives in accidents each year. Even though drivers are supposed to use caution and watch out for pedestrians at all times, this does not always happen due to careless acts such as distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, and more.
Especially when a driver flees the scene of a collision in a hit-and-run accident, a pedestrian could be left without emergency medical care. This means that there is a higher chance that a pedestrian could sustain catastrophic injuries or lose their life in an accident. When a reckless driver flees the scene of an accident, they could face criminal charges for their actions.
Fatal Pedestrian Accident Involving Hit-and-Run Driver in Reedley
A collision involving a pedestrian and a hit-and-run driver took place in Reedley on Wednesday morning. According to Your Central Valley, the accident occurred at Foster Farms at 10535 Englehart Avenue around 10:30 a.m. on August 23, 2023.
The California Highway Patrol confirmed that an employee entered the company’s private property and started to drive around in a company-owned Chrysler Pacifica without permission. While doing so, the 40-year-old male employee struck a 25-year-old man who was working on the property of Foster Farms at the time. The employee then fled the scene headed north in the stolen vehicle.
Just a bit away from the accident, police claim that the employee saw CHP officials at a traffic stop. He surrendered himself for his role in the accident and has since been booked on charges of felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter.
The pedestrian who was struck was rushed to a local hospital with critical injuries. He was tragically pronounced dead while there.
California Highway Patrol continues its investigation into the circumstances of the accident.
Offering Support to Families of Victims After a Fatal Reedley Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrians are vulnerable parties on our roads, which means that they are more likely than other parties to lose their lives in an accident. Unfortunately, many families are left wondering where they can turn when a loved one has been taken from them prematurely in a fatal pedestrian accident. Loss of financial support, incurred medical bills, funeral costs, and other damages can pile up as a family is grieving, which can leave them in a difficult and complex situation.
When a hit-and-run driver who caused a fatal collision is not found, families may still be able to recover financially. If the pedestrian carried uninsured motorist coverage through their insurance, it is possible that a family can still recover damages on their behalf. In some cases, however, a hit-and-run driver is apprehended, which leaves room for a wrongful death claim against the liable party.
Contact a Reedley Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
It is not always easy to secure protection for you and your family after tragically losing a loved one in a pedestrian accident. Speaking with a Reedley pedestrian accident lawyer can ensure that your rights are being protected when the insurance company starts calling. You do not want to accept an early settlement offer that covers less than what you and your family need to move forward.
At Maison Law, we will ensure that your voice is heard and that you are treated fairly during one of the most difficult times in your life. It can be stressful to deal with a claim on your own, which is why we urge you to seek the help of a legal advocate soon after a fatal accident. Contact us to schedule your free and confidential case consultation.
