A German tourist who was fatally injured in a hit-and-run collision in San Francisco has been identified as 21-year-old Nils Linke. Police say Linke was riding his bicycle near the intersection of Masonic Avenue and Turk Street the night of August 13, 2010 when he was struck by a 1989 Mercedes-Benz. The driver, later identified as 36-year-old Joshua Calder, fled the scene of the crash. Thanks to tips from eyewitnesses, police were able to arrest and book him on suspicion of drunk driving, vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run and lacking proof of insurance.
My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Nils Linke for their devastating loss. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. On the other hand, driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a crime is extremely irresponsible and I hope that appropriate actions are taken against such offenders. If have any more information regarding this crash or any other hit and run accident, please visit our web site, www.hitandrunreward.com to offer an anonymous tip and become eligible to receive a $1,000 reward.
California Hit-and-Run Statistics
According to the California Highway Patrol's traffic accident statistics, there were 17,158 hit-and-run collisions that resulted in fatalities or injuries in California in 2008. A majority of these car accidents involved injuries. There were 247 deaths in 2008 involving hit-and-run collisions statewide.
Car Accident Laws
Based on news reports, Calder was driving under the influence, without insurance and left the scene of the crash. California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."
Also, a driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face gross vehicular manslaughter charges, as Calder does in this case. California Penal Code section 191.5 (a) states: "Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence."
Claim for Compensation
A knowledgeable San Francisco personal injury lawyer in such cases will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that the rights of victims and their families are protected. A skilled car accident attorney will also be able to advise families about how their own auto insurance policy might apply to a hit-and-run collision or to an incident involving an at-fault driver who is uninsured or underinsured. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation to injured victims and their families.
To learn more information about the dangers of drunk driving, please visit MADD's website at www.madd.org.
What street improvements would you like to see in your city to make roads safer for bicyclists?
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
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