Jovanna Lugo, 27, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after she was struck by an LAPD cruiser while making a U-turn on a Sylmar roadway, near the 210 Freeway. ABC News reports that the fatal car accident occurred the night of April 21, 2010 in the 12000 block of North Glen Oaks. Lugo was apparently making a U-turn on northbound Glenoaks Boulevard to go southbound. As she was attempting the U-turn, Lugo's car was broadsided by the police cruiser, which was traveling without lights or sirens. Lugo's car was pushed across the boulevard and against an iron fence. Investigators are looking into issues such as whether Lugo made a legal U-turn and whether the police cruiser was traveling too fast. The two police officers sustained moderate injuries.
I offer my deepest sympathies to everybody who knew and loved Jovanna Lugo. According to news reports, Lugo was a loving and caring woman who was driving to her parents' house less than 200 yards from her home. She was going to pick up visiting relatives so they wouldn't have to walk in the cold. Tragic! Please keep this grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.
Los Angeles Car Accidents
There were 268 deaths and 25,588 injuries involving car accidents in Los Angeles, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 traffic accident statistics. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 deaths and 52,229 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents during the same year.
Fault and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, officials are investigating two aspects of the incident -- whether Lugo made a legal U-turn and whether the officers were traveling too fast. Basically, they are trying to determine who was at fault for the accident. There are still several questions here. Was the LAPD cruiser responding to an incident? How fast was the cruiser traveling? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, such as poor lighting, because of which the officer driving the patrol car failed to see Lugo's vehicle? The article states that LAPD is conducting the investigation. In such cases, it is best that the law enforcement agency hands the investigation over to another agency, to avoid conflict of interest, and ensure that a fair and objective investigation is conducted.
Lugo's family would be well-advised to retain the services of an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that the family's legal rights and best interests are protected. If the accident is determined to have been the police officer's fault, then he and his employer, the police department, could be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a California governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.
What steps, do you think, should LAPD take to make sure that an objective and fair investigation is conducted in this case?
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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