California Highway Patrol Officer Andy Beasley was severely injured in a car accident in Sacramento County after his motorcycle hit a vehicle that had moments earlier been involved in a separate collision. According to a CBS13 news report the injury crash occurred the morning of September 25, 2012 in the westbound lanes of the Interstate 80 near Greenback Lane. Officials say a Chevy Cruze driven by 53-year-old Debra Andes was traveling in the number two lane, when it rear-ended a Toyota Corolla driven by 50-year-old Jessica Brown.
The impact pushed the Corolla into the number one lane, in front of Beasley’s motorcycle. The motorcycle struck the driver’s side of the Corolla. Officer Beasley was ejected from the motorcycle and thrown onto the guardrail. He was transported to a local hospital with major injuries including multiple fractures, abrasions and a concussion. The injuries are not believed to be life threatening. It is not clear if any charges will be filed in this case. The investigation is ongoing.
My thoughts and prayers are with officer Andy Beasley and his family for what they are going through at this time. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Accident Statistics
According to CHP’s 2010 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 11 fatalities and 363 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Sacramento County. During the same year, 118 people died and 7,348 were injured as a result of traffic accidents countywide.
What Caused This Crash?
Based on this news account, the accident occurred when the driver of the Chevrolet struck the Corolla from behind, which triggered a chain reaction. It is unclear as to what caused the rear-end collision. Was Andes traveling too fast given the traffic conditions? Was she following the Corolla too closely? Was she distracted or inattentive at the time?
Liability Issues
If the driver of the Chevy Cruze is determined to have been at fault, she can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused here. The injured officer, in addition to seeking workers’ compensation benefits from his employer, can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver for damages. Injured victims in such cases would be well advised to contact an experienced California personal injury attorney, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable.
SLS Consulting