Douglas Tarry, 27, was killed in a San Diego car accident after his truck was struck head-on by a suspected drunk driver who was trying to elude police, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The incident began the evening of April 19, 2009 on the Interstate 15 when a California Highway Patrol spotted 23-year-old Silvero Morales Romero speeding in a 2001 Ford Explorer and pulled him over. Romero, who was driving without a license, took off after the officer asked him for identification. Romero continued to drive on the freeway at 100 mph before getting onto State Route 76, CHP officials said.
The pursuing officer at the time lost sight of the Explorer but continued to follow with his lights and sirens off after slowing down. Romero then crossed over the double yellow lines and collided head-on with a 1999 Toyota pickup driven by Douglas Tarry. Romero also crashed into a 2004 Ford F-350 being driven by a 50-year-old man. Both he and his wife suffered minor injuries. Tarry was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. After the car crash Romero crawled out of the truck and tried to hop away from the scene although one of his legs was severed, officials said. He was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run, driving under the influence and evading arrest.
My heart goes out to the family of Douglas Tarry, who was tragically killed in this senseless car crash. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Tarry. Apparently, he was a promising young musician whose life was tragically cut short. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers.
There seems to be no question here that Romero was at fault for the car accident. Given the fact that he had no driver's license, it would not be a stretch to assume that he was also driving without auto insurance. Tarry's family may be able to receive compensation from the uninsured/underinsured motorist clause in his auto insurance policy, should Romero lack insurance or sufficient insurance.
In this case, there is also the issue of the CHP pursuit and whether the officer followed his department's policies and procedures during his pursuit of Romero. CHP supervisors said that in a pursuit, it is up to the individual officer to decide whether to continue it. The question here is that whether the CHP officer was justified in continuing to pursue Romero. Was it worth putting other lives at risk?
Tarry's family would be well advised to contact experienced California car accident attorneys, who have a successful track record of dealing with all the above issues. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death claim, which provides compensation for medical/funeral expenses, loss of earnings, and other related costs.
SLS Consulting