Intersections can be dangerous places, particularly when emergency vehicles are around. Readers in San Diego may have seen a recent news article about the tragic death of a 19-year-old girl from Poway, who was killed in a car accident in June while riding in a vehicle that was struck by a fire truck as it passed through an intersection. The driver, a 44-year-old man who was recently released on bail for his involvement in an alleged drug crime, survived the accident, but will now face serious criminal charges for his role in the car accident.
According to police, the driver of a Honda Accord was allegedly under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash, which may have led to the accident. The fire truck had its emergency lights on as it went through the intersection on a green light at the same time the driver was passing through at roughly 4 a.m.
The resulting accident was horrific, and police rushed the driver of the Honda Accord to the hospital with substantial injuries. However, they were unable to save the 19-year-old girl, who died at the scene of the crime. After the accident, investigators found an opened bottle of alcohol in the vehicle, which led to the DUI charge against the driver of the Honda Accord.
This is an unfortunate accident, but one that could have been avoided if the driver had taken the proper safety precautions on the road. All drivers owe their passengers a duty of care, and when that duty is broken, the driver can be held responsible for damages through a negligence or wrongful death lawsuit.
The girl’s family in this most recent incident claims she was an aspiring model who planned to go to college before her life was cut tragically short. Victims in similar situations may, with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, be able to obtain the civil damages they deserve.
Source: UT San Diego, “Driver in fatal crash with fire truck arrested,” Teri Figueroa, Aug. 1, 2013
Anchor Text: car accident
