A 47-year-old woman who was killed in a pedestrian accident the morning of May 27, 2010, has been identified as Florinda Garcia Flores. KEY News reports that Flores was walking across Coast Village Road in Santa Barbara County when a teen driver in a minivan lost control of his vehicle, went over a curb and struck Flores. She was thrown several feet from the point of impact onto the intersection of Butterfly Lane and Coast Village. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The 17-year-old driver told officials that there was some mechanical problem with his minivan that caused him to lose control. Officials also found marijuana and other drug paraphernalia in his vehicle. However, they determined that the teen was not under the influence at the time.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Florinda Garcia Flores for their tragic and irreparable loss. Please keep them in your prayers.
Car Accident Statistics
There were four fatalities and 571 injuries involving car accidents in Santa Barbara, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Countywide, 35 people died and 1,952 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.
What Caused this Accident?
Police are apparently still looking into the statements of the young driver, who was cited and released to his parents. It is not clear what part of the official investigation led to the conclusion that the driver was not under the influence. Was he speeding, distracted or otherwise negligent? I trust those are all issues police are checking in order to decide what charges, if any, should be filed against the driver.
In such cases, it would be in the best interests of the victim's family to seek the counsel of a reputed California personal injury lawyer, who has a successful track record of holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions. Families of deceased victims can also file wrongful death claims against the at-fault party seeking compensation to cover funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.
What steps do you take as a pedestrian to make sure you are safe on the roadway?
None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.
