The chef at a prominent Seaside restaurant was killed in a car accident, which officials say, was caused by a fatigued driver. According to a news report in The Monterey Herald, 58-year-old Ted Consoli was fatally injured the evening of July 30, 2010, when his 2004 BMW Z4 was hit by a Ford SUV on Holman Highway.
The SUV's driver, identified as 61-year-old Thomas Littlefield, crossed into opposing lanes of traffic and struck Consoli's BMW. He also hit a Chevy Silverado driven by Andrew Kennedy, 32. He and his passenger, 33-year-old Heather Lauren, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Littlefield told officials he may have fallen asleep at the wheel. No arrests have been made pending an official investigation
I offer my heartfelt sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Ted Consoli. I also wish Kennedy and Lauren the very best for a speedy and complete recovery from their injuries.
Sleepy Drivers are Dangerous
Fatigued drivers cause numerous fatalities and serious personal injuries each year in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2007, fatigue was a factor in at least 18 percent of all fatal car accidents. The NHTSA also estimates that fatigue on the nation's roadways accounts for about 7 percent of all accidents. The federal agency had then identified driver fatigue as one of the main areas of driver behavior that needed to be addressed to achieve a reduction in the number of serious car accidents by 40 percent, by this year (2010).
Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that this accident was caused by a fatigued driver. I trust officials are also looking into whether Littlefield was under the influence, distracted or otherwise negligent at the time. Once the investigation is completed, officials may determine whether criminal charges are warranted. However, if Littlefield is determined to have been at fault, he can be held financially responsible for the accident and injuries caused.
In such cases, injured victims or families of deceased car accident victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the investigation and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions.
Question: What are some tips you would offer to help prevent fatigued driving?
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.
