Discovery Bay Mother Dies in Crash  – Woman hit, killed by car as son watches

Highway 156: Victim was helping stranded motorist

A woman suffered fatal injuries before her horrified 12-year-old son when she was struck by a car on Highway 156 after she stopped to try to help two people with car trouble.

The victim, Veronica Brumley, 36, of the San Francisco Bay Area was pronounced dead at the scene of the 11 a.m. accident near the Monte del Lago mobile home park.

California Highway Patrol officers had a grief counselor come to the scene to console the victim’s son, said CHP spokesman Officer Robert Lehman.

The accident closed the two-lane highway between Prunedale and Castroville until about 1 p.m.

The victim was westbound in a sport utility vehicle when she pulled onto the right shoulder to help two people with a disabled vehicle, Lehman said.

The three talked for a bit behind Brumley’s SUV. She was getting back into her vehicle when she was struck by a Toyota sedan driven by Rachel Haskell, 18, of Garden Grove.                                                            

The teenage driver, too, was “quite distraught,” Lehman said.

There was no indication drugs or alcohol played any role in the accident. Officers were still investigating what happened, Lehman said.

The victim’s son was taken to the CHP’s Salinas office, where he was joined by his stepfather, who was in the area on business, Lehman said.

The tragedy underscores safety advice the CHP has for motorists who stop on highways.

If you have to stop, Lehman said, pull off the roadway as far as possible and stay inside the vehicle with your seat belt buckled. If a vehicle has

mechanical issues, call the CHP and they will respond. “It’s just the safer thing to do,” he said. “The highway is not a good place for anyone —

including ourselves.”

When you suffer serious/traumatic injuries or a loved one’s death, you are entitled to compensation (medical bills, funeral costs, lost wages, future wages and pain and suffering).  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler will aggressively represent you and fight for your rights against the insurance companies for the monetary damages you deserve.

The great majority of pedestrian injuries caused by motorists are due to the following

• DUI
• Reckless driving
• Cell phone usage
• Ran a red light or stop sign- Failure to observe the crosswalk
• Confusing temporary construction zones, forcing pedestrians to walk out of the crosswalks

If you or a loved one is involved in a serious pedestrian or bicycle accident:

• Insist that a report is filed by the Police Department, California Highway Patrol, or Sheriff’s Department
• Obtain essential information (i.e. name, address, insurance information, vehicle license number and driver license number of any and all persons involved in the accident)
• Photograph the accident scene as well as all visible injuries
• Shut up!  Talk to no one about the accident or your injuries other than your attorney or doctor, never to an insurance adjuster or insurance investigator.  Do not volunteer a statement to any insurance company.
• Sign absolutely nothing without consulting a lawyer
• Seek medical attention immediately and keep a diary of your level of pain
• – Keep all receipts for all medical expenses and/or funeral bills and wage loss records
• – Contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler or another experienced law firm immediately to protect your rights and preserve the evidence!

Unfortunately, the reality of most pedestrian and bicycle accident victims usually sustain serious/catastrophic injuries which many times results in death.  Over the past twenty years attorney Gary A Kessler has a proven successful track record demanding accountability from the responsible parties and obtaining outstanding results for his clients.

Demand accountability from those responsible for the pedestrian/bicycle accidents.  Many times the insurance companies will play “hardball” if you try to settle the case yourself or you have employed a lawyer who does not have the litigation experience to handle such a complex case. We at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler have twenty years of litigation experience and know how to handle the insurance companies to your advantage.  We are prepared to front all costs required for the necessary investigation and expert witnesses needed to prepare your case for trial.

The laws regarding pedestrian and bicycle accident cases are complex and include many facets of the law.  It is vital to surviving family members to seek the advice of an experienced pedestrian and bicycle accident lawyer such as Gary A Kessler at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler to protect your rights and those of your loved ones.

The California pedestrian and bicycle accident attorney Gary A Kessler and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler are compassionate and fully understand that you are attempting to cope with extreme serious injuries associated with a pedestrian/bicycle accident. Such accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries or even death.  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its wrongful death and pedestrian/bicycle accident cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention neccessary to obtain a successful result for your case.