Sean Deehan, 20, was killed in an Orange County car accident after being hit by a vehicle while crossing the street. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred on Allegheny Drive in Santa Ana, the early morning of September 5, 2011. Deehan was transported to a local hospital where he died later that morning from his injuries. Officials are still looking into what caused this crash.
My heart goes out to the friends and family of Sean Deehan following this tragic car accident. My thoughts and prayers are with him during this difficult time.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), seven people were killed and 145 were injured in Santa Ana pedestrian accidents. During that same year, there were 41 fatalities and 864 injuries reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in Orange County.
What Caused This Fatal Injury Accident?
There is very little official information available at this time regarding how this accident occurred. There are still several questions here. Was the driver of the vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs? Was speed a factor in this collision? Was Deehan walking in a marked or unmarked crosswalk? Did the driver of the vehicle fail to yield the right-of-way to Deehan? Did driver distraction or inattention play a part in this fatal collision? I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Liability Issues
The family of a deceased car accident victim, in cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, can seek compensation by filing a wrongful death claim. Such claims usually seek compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and loss of companionship.
A knowledgeable Santa Ana personal injury lawyer will be able to determine whether a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to the incident as well. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any wrongful death claim against a public entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident.
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