Francis Torney, 86, died recently of injuries she suffered in an SUV rollover accident that occurred on December 18, 2009. According to a Bay City News report, Torney suffered a cervical fracture and other injuries in the Highway 101 crash when another driver made an unsafe lane change. California Highway Patrol officials said Torney was with two other women in an Isuzu SUV when 54-year-old William Stock, who was driving a 2002 BMW south on Highway 101, moved into the same lane as the Isuzu.
Isuzu Rollover Accident
The BMW then struck the Isuzu, causing the SUV to go out-of-control and roll over. Celeste Hoffman, 23 and Anne Torney, 50 sustained moderate injuries while Francis Torney suffered a cervical fracture. Stock, who was uninjured, fled the scene, but was arrested minutes later by officials on suspicion of felony hit-and-run. Further charges are pending the coroner's investigation into whether Torney's death was related to the injuries from the car crash.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Francis Torney for their tragic loss. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Torney. Please keep them in your prayers.
Liability Issues
If the news report is accurate, it seems to me that this car accident was the fault of the driver who made the unsafe lane change, William Stock. Leaving the scene of the accident is a serious crime under California Vehicle Code 20001. The determination is also yet to be made on whether Torney's serious injuries from the accident caused her death.
If I were one of the injured victims or Torney's family member, I'd also want to find out whether auto product defects were a factor in these serious injuries. Did a mechanical malfunction or a design defect in the Isuzu cause or contribute to the injuries? Did the roof cave in during the rollover? In any car accident where an auto product defect is suspected, families of victims would be well-advised to preserve the vehicle in its current condition, unaltered, to it can be carefully examined by an expert for vehicle defects, malfunctions and other evidence. The best San Francisco personal injury lawyers will always offer a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation to injured victims and their families.
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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