A car driver identified as 59-year-old Robert McCown and Juan Navarro, 33, a truck driver, were killed in a San Bernardino County truck accident, the afternoon of October 22, 2012.
According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal accident occurred on the Highway 330 between Highland and Running Springs. California Highway Patrol officials say Navarro was driving the semi truck on Highway 330 when he either fell out or jumped from the truck.
The out-of-control truck crashed into a 2005 Acura driven by McCown. Both drivers died at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
I offer my deepest sympathies to the family members and friends of Robert McCown and Juan Navarro for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Accident Statistics
According to CHP’s 2010 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 203 fatalities and 7,915 injuries involving car accidents in San Bernardino County. In the unincorporated areas of the county, 85 people died and 1,668 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.
What Caused This Fatal Accident?
Based on this news account, it is not yet clear what caused the driver to leave his truck before the collision. There are several unanswered questions here. Was there some type of mechanical malfunction in the truck? Did the brakes fail? Was this mechanical failure the result of a defective part or lack of proper vehicle maintenance? Was the driver properly trained? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Liability Issues
If this accident was the driver’s fault, then his employer can be held liable for the incident. The trucking company can also be held liable if the accident was caused by improper vehicle maintenance. An experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer will be able to examine records including the trucking company’s vehicle maintenance logs to determine if the truck had been properly maintained. In cases where negligence is involved, families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income and loss of love and companionship.
SLS Consulting