Two Ventura County Sheriff's deputies and one other person suffered major injuries in a Ventura car accident after their patrol car was struck by another vehicle near Santa Paula the night of April 17, 2010. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, the major injury crash occurred on Highway 126 near Timber Canyon Road. The patrol car bearing deputies William Meixner and Beau Rodriguez, was traveling east on the highway when a pickup truck made a sudden left turn, out of a driveway, ahead of the patrol car.
Horrific Crash
Meixner, who was driving the squad car, hit the brakes and steered to the left to try and avoid a collision, but ended up hitting the front of the truck. The truck rolled over and its 22-year-old driver, Mayra Tellez, was ejected. Tellez's passenger, 27-year-old Jose Velasquez Diaz, was able to climb out of the vehicle. Tellez and the two deputies were transported to a local hospital with major injuries. California Highway Patrol officials are investigating this incident.
My heart goes out to those who were injured in this horrific crash. According to the article, both deputies who were injured in this collision were honored as officers of the year recently. I wish all the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.
Car Accident Statistics
There were two fatalities and 76 injuries involving car accidents in Santa Paula in 2008, according to CHP's traffic accident statistics. In Ventura County as a whole, car accidents claimed 63 lives and injured 3,785 people during the same year.
Causes and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it is not clear what caused Tellez to make that turn in front of the patrol vehicle. Was she impaired, distracted, or otherwise negligent? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which obstructed Tellez's view of the patrol car? I'm glad a third party such as the CHP has been called in to investigate this case since it involves local law enforcement officials.
If Tellez is determined to have been at fault here, she could be held liable for the accident and the injuries caused to the officers. If this accident was caused by a dangerous condition on the roadway or the private property, the governmental entity maintaining the roadway or the property owner could be held liable as well. If a personal injury claim is being filed against a California public entity, there is a 180-day limit within which the claim must be filed. Victims in such cases would be well-advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer who will advise them about their legal rights and options.
What are the toughest challenges you have faced in the aftermath of a car accident?
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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