Two people were killed in a Fresno car accident after one of the drivers ran a stop sign and crashed into the other's vehicle. According to a CBS News report, the fatal car crash occurred the morning of July 16, 2010 at the intersection of American and Temperance, close to Fresno. California Highway Patrol officials say a man driving a Buick ran a stop sign at American Avenue and crashed into a Jeep. The driver of the Jeep and a female passenger in the Buick were killed. The driver of the Buick was injured and hospitalized. However, his condition is not known. An investigation is ongoing.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased victims. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Car Accident Statistics
According to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 33 deaths and 1,485 injuries involving car accidents in Fresno, California. In Fresno County as a whole, 127 fatalities and 3,233 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents during the same year.
The Law Relating to Stop Signs
If the details of this news report are accurate, it appears that the driver of the Buick may have been at fault for running the stop sign. California law requires drivers to come to a complete stop at a stop sign and proceed with caution. According to California Vehicle Code section 21802 (a): "The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop as required by Section 22450. The driver shall then yield the right-of-way to any vehicles which have approached from another highway, or which are approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to those vehicles until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety."
Liability Issues
I trust investigators are also looking into why the driver of the Buick ran the stop sign. Was he under the influence of alcohol or drugs? Was he distracted, speeding or driving recklessly? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which hampered drivers' visibility at the intersection?
If it is determined that the Buick's driver was at-fault, then he could be held criminally and civilly liable for the wrongful deaths of both his passenger and the other driver. Families of deceased victims in such cases would be well-advised to contact an experienced Fresno personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the incident and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions.
What do you think makes street intersections tricky for drivers? What type of precautions would you take at street intersections?
SLS Consulting
BELINDA COBET said:
CHRIS ABRAHAMSON WAS LIKE MY BROTHER...I WAS BACK HOME IN GEORGIA WHEN I RECEIVED THE HORRIBLE PHONE CALL OF CHRIS"S DEATH. THE DRIVER DID NOT STOP,AND PLOWED INTO CHRIS AND KILLED HIM. FRESNO,YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF.STOP LIGHTS SHOULD BE PUT UP! WHOEVER HAS THE POWER TO APPROVE STOPLIGHTS FOR AMERICAN AND TEMPPERANCE...DO IT! YOU WERE NOT AT THE FUNERAL WHEN CHRIS"S MOM LET OUT A PAINFUL BLOODY SCREAM WHEN SHE HUGGED HER DEAD SON FOR THE LAST TIME, AND THEN THEY CLOSED THE COFFIN! I WAS THERE! I HAD TO WATCH THIS!!! DO SOMETHING! THERE IS NO EXCUSE...PUT UP DAMN STOPLIGHTS! DO IT FOR ALL OF US WHO SUFFER BECAUSE OF THE LOST OF LOVE ONE"S...BELINDA COBET