Mission Viejo's High Traffic and Speeders Contribute to Car Accidents

Master planned Mission Viejo in Orange County, California has a population of nearly 95,000 and has been called one of America's safest cities. Unfortunately, like many cities, it has had its car accident tragedies.

The California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) reported that, in 2006, seven people died and 250 people were injured in Mission Viejo car accidents. DUI accidents caused four deaths and 27 injuries. One pedestrian was killed and 11 were injured in car accidents. Moreover, one bicyclist was killed and five were injured in car collisions. In addition, 13 motorcyclists were also injured. And in 2007, seven car crashes killed 11 people.

"When you have pedestrians and kids on bikes and skateboards coming and going to 50 neighborhood parks, you have to be ever vigilant as a motorist," noted pedestrian and car accident attorney John Bisnar of BISNAR | CHASE Personal Injury Attorneys LLP.

One tragic car accident that shook Mission Viejo occurred in 2006, when 14-year-old Nathan Gonzalez was struck by a Dodge Durango while skateboarding with friends. The horrific car crash happened in the Aliso Villas neighborhood near Los Alisos Boulevard. Sheriff's officials indicated that Gonzalez was riding his skateboard on a sidewalk when he veered into the street. Nathan struck the hood and was flung about 40 feet. The driver, identified as Johnny David Perez, 25, was placed under arrest on suspicion of DUI. Nathan was rushed to CHOC at Mission with severe head trauma and never recovered from his injuries.

Another Mission Viejo car crash in 2009 occurred on the northbound I-5 near Oso Parkway. The car accident wrecked three cars: a silver Toyota Camry, a silver Ford Explorer and a black PT Cruiser. One person was hospitalized and two more were treated at the scene.

Known as a bedroom community, Mission Viejo quickly changes to a high-traffic metropolis during early morning and evening rush hours. That's when commuters jam Marguerite Parkway, Oslo, Crown Valley and La Paz, which are the city's main arteries. Adding to the congestion are the throngs of Saddleback Valley College students who tie up Marguerite Parkway. Combined, all this extra traffic creates a danger for K through 12th grade students walking, biking or skateboarding to and from school.

We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Nathan Gonzalez for their devastating loss.

Be on the Hit-and-Run Lookout

BISNAR | CHASE, in conjunction with WeTip, a leading anonymous crime reporting service and law enforcement advocacy non-profit organization, is launching a program intended to wipe out hit-and-runs in the state of California by offering rewards for tips leading to the arrest and felony conviction of hit-and-run drivers. See Hit-and-Run Reward for more details.

BISNAR | CHASE 2006-2010 Super Lawyers names outstanding lawyers from more than 60 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. BISNAR | CHASE has received this award for five consecutive years. Brian Chase was named one of the 2010 Top 50 Orange County Lawyers.