2 Killed After Pick-up Truck Crashes Into Stalled Car on 60 Fwy
A pick-up truck crashed into the back of a stalled vehicle on the 60 Freeway Thursday night killing two people.
Reports of the crash came in around 10:15pm . Witnesses told CHP dispatch that a large pickup truck and Honda had collided near Atlantic Avenue in Monterey Park. Shortly after an SUV slammed in to the two other vehicles.
A CHP officer that was on scene also reported that one person was trapped under a vehicle.
Before long the coroner was called out to investigate the death of two people. One male and one female, both around 30 years old.
Verdugo Fire Department and California Highway Patrol are on-scene.
Westbound 60 Freeway is closed near Atlantic Avenue, and only one lane is open on the eastbound side.
Automobile Collisions and Wrongful Death Liability
While the accident on August 9 remains under investigation, the family members of the victims would be well-advised to seek immediate consultation from an experienced wrongful death lawyer. An experienced attorney can advise the victims of their legal rights and decide the best course of action in recovering the maximum compensation for their injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Also, in unique and complex situations such as this one, an attorney can hire a highly skilled independent investigator to reconstruct the scene of the accident to determine who is at fault.
The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is a prominent and highly respected law firm in California and the United States. Gary A Kessler has been serving the people as an experienced wrongful death attorney for over twenty years dedicated and committed to obtaining the best results for his clients in each and every case. Through experience and education, our firm is able to expertly evaluate complex medical injuries and pursue wrongful death claims.
The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler has a sustaining record of outstanding results for their client’s wrongful death cases throughout California. Our firm specializes in difficult automobile vs. tractor-trailer rig(s), collision cases, uninsured motorists cases, rollover accident cases, bus and train collision litigation, defective product liability litigation, boating collision death cases, boating capsizing and drowning cases, backyard pool drownings, jacuzzi spa drownings, association and community pool drownings, accidental shootings, tractor-trailer and commercial vehicle fatality, fuel tank fire cases and wrongful death cases.
The term “wrongful death” is defined as the death of an individual as a result of the negligence, carelessness, intentional act of another individual, corporation, company or entity. Filing a proper wrongful death claim is extremely difficult and complex for families because they are not only dealing with their grief over the death of a beloved family member, but also complex issues of compensation as well. Wrongful death claims are usually sought after by relatives, siblings, or members of the decedent’s estate who have lost a considerable amount of money as well as loss of support and grief due to the wrongful death of the decedent.
Motorcyclist James Wood killed on National Trails in Essex
On August 09, 2012 at 7:55 PM, Officers from the California Highway Patrol and San Bernardino County Fire Department personnel were sent to the area of National Trails Highway and Mountain Springs Road, Essex, due to a possible head-on collision. When officers arrived they found that James Melvin Wood, a 59 year-old resident of Yucca Valley, the sole rider of a 2006 Kawasaki, had been traveling westbound on National Trails Highway, when he was struck by a red Kia traveling eastbound that had drifted into the westbound.
Motorcycle Accidents
If you have been involved in a California motorcycle accident you may be entitled to compensation by the negligent party’s insurance company and/or your own if the negligent driver was uninsured or underinsured. Never proceed with a negligence claim without first obtaining legal advice from an experienced California lawyer who knows how to deal with the insurance companies and will make sure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries and damages.
The laws regarding motorcycle accidents are complex and include many facets of the law.It is vital to surviving family members to seek the advice of an experienced motorcycle 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 motorcycle 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 motorcycle accident. Such accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries or even death. The Law Offices of Gary A. Kessler carefully selects its wrongful death and motorcycle accident cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention necessary to obtain a successful result for your case.
Suspected DUI driver kills man in wheelchair
HESPERIA • A suspected drunken driver veered off the roadway, late Tuesday, striking a power pole and flipping a man in a motorized wheelchair, killing him, officials said.
David Rivera, 40, of Victorville, was traveling north on Seventh Avenue near the Manzanita Street intersection in Hesperia about 9:53 p.m. when he was struck by a Jeep approaching from behind, coroner’s and sheriff’s San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials said.
Paramedics pronounced Rivera dead at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle, Rachel Lynn Walbye, 23, of Victorville, was treated for minor injuries and arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, officials said. She was taken to West Valley Detention Center and her bail is set at $250,000, according to jail records.
Walbye is scheduled to appear in Victorville Superior Court on Friday.
There were no witnesses to the accident, according to early sheriff’s reports.
A few neighbors heard the collision, which awakened one couple. Another nearby resident, who declined to give her name, said she hears vehicle collisions at the illuminated but uncontrolled intersection as often as once a month.
A Southern California Edison crew responded to repair the damaged power pole and electricity was off in the area for the next eight hours, according to a San Bernardino County Fire Department spokeswoman.
Work crews were still on the job as far as 1 1⁄2 blocks from the intersection Monday afternoon. They left the area by about 1:30 p.m.
The sheriff’s Hesperia Station Major Accident Investigation Team impounded the Jeep and is investigating the collision, officials said.
Cause of the Hesperia Crash
While this devastating San Bernardino County accident remains under investigation, the family members of those accident victims who were seriously injured would be well-advised to speak with an understanding and knowledgeable San Bernardino County wrongful death lawyer. An attorney such as Gary A. Kessler who has successfully handled serious injury accidents can advise the victim’s family of their legal rights to hold the driver accountable and best course of action should they wish to pursue a personal injury claim.
Alcohol impaired driving accidents and wrongful death liability
California Pedestrian Law
“Under California Vehicle Code Section 21950 (a) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(b) This section does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for his or her safety. No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. No pedestrian may unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
(c) The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the vehicle or take any other action relating to the operation of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.
(d) Subdivision (b) does not relieve a driver of a vehicle from the duty of exercising due care for the safety of any pedestrian within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.”
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Source: California Highway Patrol Statewide Integrated Traffic Report
Pedestrians need to be especially cautious on our roadways because they are more vulnerable to injury or death. There were two pedestrians killed and two injured in car accidents in Twenty-nine Palms in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol Statewide Integrated Traffic Report. In San Bernardino County 39 pedestrians died and 440 were injured in 2009.
In California, there were 598 pedestrians killed and 12,418 injured in 2009, according to the CHP traffic report.
National data compiled by the National Highway Transportation and Safety Authority shows that pedestrian injuries and fatalities in the United States were up 4.9% in 2010 to 4,280 deaths and injuries were up 19% in 2010 to 70,000 people injured.
Man crossing street killed by vehicle in Laguna Woods
A man was struck and killed by a vehicle Wednesday night while crossing a street in Laguna Woods, authorities said.
Deputies shortly before 9 p.m. responded to reports of a vehicle striking a pedestrian at El Toro Road and Moulton Parkway, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Roland Chacon said.
Investigators believe a man was crossing Moulton when he was struck by a small truck, Chacon said.
The man, who authorities have not identified, was pronounced dead at the scene, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Marc Stone said.
The driver remained at the scene, and no arrests or citations were immediately reported.
A nearby portion of Moulton Parkway was closed as investigators went over the scene, Chacon said.
Cause of the Laguna Woods Crash
While this devastating Orange County accident remains under investigation, the family members of those accident victims who were seriously injured would be well-advised to speak with an understanding and knowledgeable Orange County wrongful death lawyer. An attorney such as Gary A. Kessler who has successfully handled serious injury accidents can advise the victim’s family of their legal rights to hold the driver accountable and best course of action should they wish to pursue a personal injury claim.
California Pedestrian Law
“Under California Vehicle Code Section 21950 (a) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(b) This section does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for his or her safety. No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. No pedestrian may unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
(c) The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the vehicle or take any other action relating to the operation of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.
(d) Subdivision (b) does not relieve a driver of a vehicle from the duty of exercising due care for the safety of any pedestrian within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.”
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Source: California Highway Patrol Statewide Integrated Traffic Report
Pedestrians need to be especially cautious on our roadways because they are more vulnerable to injury or death. There were two pedestrians killed and two injured in car accidents in Twenty-nine Palms in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol Statewide Integrated Traffic Report. In San Bernardino County 39 pedestrians died and 440 were injured in 2009.
In California, there were 598 pedestrians killed and 12,418 injured in 2009, according to the CHP traffic report.
National data compiled by the National Highway Transportation and Safety Authority shows that pedestrian injuries and fatalities in the United States were up 4.9% in 2010 to 4,280 deaths and injuries were up 19% in 2010 to 70,000 people injured.
Update: Vacaville teen dies in jet ski accident in Hawaii
A 16-year-old Vacaville girl has died after being injured in a jet ski collision in Hawaii, according to officials in Hawaii.
Kristen Fonseca, 16, was identified by the Honolulu Medical Examiners Office. An autopsy is scheduled.
Fonseca was reportedly injured Sunday afternoon while riding the watercraft in Keehi Boat Harbor, according media reports. Witnesses said a 20-year-old man on another jet ski ran into Fonseca’s, striking the back of her head. She was taken to an area hospital in critical condition and later succumbed to her injuries.
State Department of Land and Natural Resources spokeswoman Deborah Ward says it appears the 20-year-old rider rear-ended the teen. The man was taken to the hospital in serious condition.
Both riders were on Aloha Jet Ski tours. The company couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.
Ward says they were riding in an area of the Keehi Small Boat Harbor that’s authorized for personal watercraft.
According to media reports, the crash has reignited the debate over watercraft rentals and safety in Hawaii.
Boating Accident Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability
The most common boating accidents are collisions with other boats, sinking’s, capsizing and boat disappearances.
Boating accidents occur very quickly and in many different places. Lakes, canals, rivers, inter-coastal waterways and oceans are where tragedies normally occur. Last year in California, there were 744 boating accidents involving 439 injuries and 44 fatalities.
According to the United States Coast Guard each year there are more than 8,000 boating accidents in the U.S. that result in 4,000 serious injuries and 800 deaths.
Many times a boater will have been speeding or may have had too much alcohol.
There are specific boating laws that must be followed or fatalities can occur. The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is familiar with the different state’s boating laws. We know the boating liability issues and will inform you of your true state, local and Federal boating rights and legal options which will result in successful outcome in your case.
It is a general rule of law that the operator of a boat and its owner has a duty to exercise a reasonable degree of care in order to prevent injuries to others. The most common boating accidents are collisions with other boats, sinking and boat disappearance. Boating injuries usually occur because of a reckless or careless operator, alcohol, boat malfunctions or an inexperienced boating (captain) operator.
Operators of boats have a legal obligation to operate their watercraft in a safe and prudent manner. The overwhelming majority of boating accidents are caused by factors that can be controlled by the operator of the boat. The primary cause of boating accidents nationwide was operator inattention, followed by careless/reckless operation, operator inexperience, operating at an unsafe speed, and failure to have a proper lookout.
Common violations of the duty of ordinary care in a maritime setting include a failure to warn against foreseeable harm, violations of “rules of the water,” such as excessive speed, failure to have proper lights, failure to yield, intoxication and others. Owners may also be held liable under the theory of vicarious liability. For example, an owner may be held liable for an operator’s failure to warn passengers of intended maneuvers, overloading the boat or permitting the guest to sit in a dangerous position.
Accidents involving bystanders, such as swimmers or water skiers, are typically treated in the same manner as cases involving social guests. The law and courts where the accident occurred will generally control any lawsuits brought by injured bystanders unless the defendant boat owner asserts admiralty jurisdiction.
The laws regarding boating accident (drowning) cases are complex and include many facets of the law. It is vital to surviving family members to seek the advice of an experienced boating fatality 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 wrongful death 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 grief and sorrow associated with the loss of a loved one in a tragic boating fatality (drowning) accident. The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its wrongful death/drowning/boating fatality cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention neccessary to obtain a successful result for your boating fatality/drowning accident case.
The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is prepared to front all costs required for a thorough investigation and top expert witnesses to prepare for the trial of your case. As in all wrongful death and serious personal injury cases, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive for our services only a percentage of what we recover for our atorney fees on their behalf. Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery. If there is no recovery, no attorneys fees or costs are owed to our firm.
The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler has the successful track record and reputation for aggressively representing our clients for recovering tens of millions of dollars in boating fatality cases in both State and Federal Counts.
One dead, five hurt in collision north of Huron
A head-on collision Monday morning north of Huron left one person dead and five people with major injuries, the California Highway Patrol reported.
Joginder Singh, 68, of Fresno, died at the scene.
Singh was a rear passenger in a 2004 Honda that collided with a 1997 Chevrolet on Highway 269 south of Oakland Avenue about 5:10 a.m.
According to the CHP, the driver of the Honda, identified as John Doe, was headed south, but had allowed his vehicle to veer into the northbound lane, directly into the path of the Chevrolet driven by Lorenzo Salazar, 23, of Avenal.
Doe and two other passengers in the Honda — Rahjit Singh, 35, and Balhara Singh, 58 — suffered major injuries, the CHP said. Salazar and his passenger, Lorenza Bautista, 46, also suffered major injuries. They were taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno.
“Drugs and or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this collision,” a CHP
news release said.
Automobile Collisions and Wrongful Death Liability
While the accident on August 6 remains under investigation, the family members of the victims would be well-advised to seek immediate consultation from an experienced wrongful death lawyer. An experienced attorney can advise the victims of their legal rights and decide the best course of action in recovering the maximum compensation for their injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Also, in unique and complex situations such as this one, an attorney can hire a highly skilled independent investigator to reconstruct the scene of the accident to determine who is at fault.
The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is a prominent and highly respected law firm in California and the United States. Gary A Kessler has been serving the people as an experienced wrongful death attorney for over twenty years dedicated and committed to obtaining the best results for his clients in each and every case. Through experience and education, our firm is able to expertly evaluate complex medical injuries and pursue wrongful death claims.
The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler has a sustaining record of outstanding results for their client’s wrongful death cases throughout California. Our firm specializes in difficult automobile vs. tractor-trailer rig(s), collision cases, uninsured motorists cases, rollover accident cases, bus and train collision litigation, defective product liability litigation, boating collision death cases, boating capsizing and drowning cases, backyard pool drownings, jacuzzi spa drownings, association and community pool drownings, accidental shootings, tractor-trailer and commercial vehicle fatality, fuel tank fire cases and wrongful death cases.
The term “wrongful death” is defined as the death of an individual as a result of the negligence, carelessness, intentional act of another individual, corporation, company or entity. Filing a proper wrongful death claim is extremely difficult and complex for families because they are not only dealing with their grief over the death of a beloved family member, but also complex issues of compensation as well. Wrongful death claims are usually sought after by relatives, siblings, or members of the decedent’s estate who have lost a considerable amount of money as well as loss of support and grief due to the wrongful death of the decedent.
Two injured in jet ski crash at Keehi Boat Harbor
Two people, including a teenage girl, were rushed to the hospital after their jetski’s collided.
Emergency crews were called to Keehi Boat Harbor around 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Paramedics took a 16 year-old girl to the hospital in critical condition, and a 20 year-old man in serious condition.
Both were part of two separate tour groups with Aloha Jet Ski.
Witnesses say the male jet skiier ran into the girl on her jet ski, striking the back of her head.
“We was heading on out, I didn’t see the initial impact – but she was face down in the water and the dad was in distress trying to go over and flip her over. And we got out and we was out there for 5 minutes, when we came back in and she was on the boat not moving and the 20 year old guy was bleeding from his forehead,” says Danny Kong, Witness.
“There were jet skis floating all over, so I helped the guy get them to the raft and he told me there was a collision out there and the girl was unconscious in the water, and when I came back all the emergency workers were here,” points out Alika Davis, Witness.
Glenn Cohen, owner of Aloha Jet Ski says, “It was a terrible thing I witnessed. (The 16 year-old girl) is very very hurt and the only concern I had was bringing her to get medical attention.” He shut down the business for the day and was heading to the hospital to make sure the young woman was okay.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources is investigating whether the two were in a designated zone for jetski activity.
Boating Accident Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability
The most common boating accidents are collisions with other boats, sinking’s, capsizing and boat disappearances.
Boating accidents occur very quickly and in many different places. Lakes, canals, rivers, inter-coastal waterways and oceans are where tragedies normally occur. Last year in California, there were 744 boating accidents involving 439 injuries and 44 fatalities.
According to the United States Coast Guard each year there are more than 8,000 boating accidents in the U.S. that result in 4,000 serious injuries and 800 deaths.
Many times a boater will have been speeding or may have had too much alcohol.
There are specific boating laws that must be followed or fatalities can occur. The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is familiar with the different state’s boating laws. We know the boating liability issues and will inform you of your true state, local and Federal boating rights and legal options which will result in successful outcome in your case.
It is a general rule of law that the operator of a boat and its owner has a duty to exercise a reasonable degree of care in order to prevent injuries to others. The most common boating accidents are collisions with other boats, sinking and boat disappearance. Boating injuries usually occur because of a reckless or careless operator, alcohol, boat malfunctions or an inexperienced boating (captain) operator.
Operators of boats have a legal obligation to operate their watercraft in a safe and prudent manner. The overwhelming majority of boating accidents are caused by factors that can be controlled by the operator of the boat. The primary cause of boating accidents nationwide was operator inattention, followed by careless/reckless operation, operator inexperience, operating at an unsafe speed, and failure to have a proper lookout.
Common violations of the duty of ordinary care in a maritime setting include a failure to warn against foreseeable harm, violations of “rules of the water,” such as excessive speed, failure to have proper lights, failure to yield, intoxication and others. Owners may also be held liable under the theory of vicarious liability. For example, an owner may be held liable for an operator’s failure to warn passengers of intended maneuvers, overloading the boat or permitting the guest to sit in a dangerous position.
Accidents involving bystanders, such as swimmers or water skiers, are typically treated in the same manner as cases involving social guests. The law and courts where the accident occurred will generally control any lawsuits brought by injured bystanders unless the defendant boat owner asserts admiralty jurisdiction.
The laws regarding boating accident (drowning) cases are complex and include many facets of the law. It is vital to surviving family members to seek the advice of an experienced boating fatality 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 wrongful death 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 grief and sorrow associated with the loss of a loved one in a tragic boating fatality (drowning) accident. The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its wrongful death/drowning/boating fatality cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention neccessary to obtain a successful result for your boating fatality/drowning accident case.
The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is prepared to front all costs required for a thorough investigation and top expert witnesses to prepare for the trial of your case. As in all wrongful death and serious personal injury cases, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive for our services only a percentage of what we recover for our atorney fees on their behalf. Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery. If there is no recovery, no attorneys fees or costs are owed to our firm.
The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler has the successful track record and reputation for aggressively representing our clients for recovering tens of millions of dollars in boating fatality cases in both State and Federal Counts.
Bicyclist killed on Country Club Drive in Bermuda Dunes
BERMUDA DUNES — A 44-year-old La Quinta man was killed Saturday after being struck by a vehicle near Country Club Drive and Jefferson Street in Bermuda Dunes.
Mark E. Ledbetter, 44, and Chad M. Priest, 29, were riding side-by-side about 7 a.m. Saturday westbound in the 79-900 block of Country Club Drive.
The dividing line that marks the shoulder was between them, CHP Officer Joseph Zagorski said. Ledbetter was on the left.
A Dodge Caliber was headed in the same direction when driver Anthony Peraza crashed into them just west of Avenue 42, Zagorski said.
The front of the driver’s side hit the back of Ledbetter’s bike, and the passenger-side mirror hit Priest. Both men flew off their bikes and landed on the road.
Peraza pulled over to the right shoulder to help the men, Zagorski said.
Ledbetter died about 30 minutes later at the scene, according to the Riverside County coroner.
Priest had bruises and cuts on his left arm and shoulder. The Indio man was treated at the scene.
There is no bike lane on that stretch of road, but bicyclists have the right-of-way, the CHP officer said.
“For some reason, he failed to avoid the bicyclists,” Zagorski said. “He’s responsible to avoid them, and he didn’t.”
It is unknown how fast Peraza, 32, of Coachella, was driving. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Bicycles have as much right to be on the road as other vehicles. When automobile drivers violate the rights of a bicyclist, serious injuries and death can occur.
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 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 necessary to obtain a successful result for your case.
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Rafting company: Sausalito woman’s drowning not caused by low water accidents
The owner of the whitewater rafting company involved in the Tuesday drowning of a Sausalito resident said the tragedy didn t occur because of low water, and the cause is still unknown.
Mariati Tani, 41, of Sausalito, drowned Tuesday when the raft she was in got stuck on a rock in the Tuolumne River, but “the water level at the time was the normal water level,” said Bob Ferguson, owner of Columbia-based Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions. Tuolumne County sheriff s Sgt. Jeff Wilson had earlier reported that the raft became stuck because the water level was lower, exposing rocks and causing water to funnel between the rocks.
“We feel horrible about the incident,” said Ferguson, who could not explain why the raft got stuck when Tani and her husband, Christy Letham, 50, also of Sausalito, were riding the rapids with a guide from Zephyr. The two were ejected from the raft and Tani was trapped underneath; despite the efforts of a guide to free her, she drowned before the guide was able to get her out.
There were reports based on statements from Wilson that the couple s son was in the raft, but that was not the case, said Ferguson, who said Letham s sister s son was aboard. The incident occurred at about 12:45 p.m., not 1:30 p.m. as earlier reported by Wilson, Ferguson said.
Ferguson acknowledged that the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission had notified rafting companies in the area, including Zephyr, that a generator had failed around 9 a.m. Tuesday and there would be a shorter period in which the normal water levels would be available. The water level was normal at the time of the accident, Ferguson said.
“The water level at the time was the normal water level, but it was a shorter window of time. Normally it s a four-hour release window of high water. They (the commission) let us know that instead of four hours it would be two and a quarter to two and a half hours of high flow,” Ferguson said.
The guide did not vary the route because of the shorter time window, Ferguson said.
“We don t know what happened,” Ferguson said of the accident. “There is only one way to run this rapid and that s the way it was run.” Ferguson said he was out of town at the time of the incident.
Bicyclist hit by pickup dies
A 46-year-old Lake Elsinore man was killed Wednesday, Aug. 1, when he was struck by a pickup while riding his bicycle in the unincorporated Lakeland Village area, authorities said.
Coroner’s officials identified the man as Harry Dettloff. He died at the scene.
California Highway Patrol officials said Dettloff was riding south on the west shoulder of Grand Avenue north of Baldwin Boulevard shortly after 4:30 p.m. when he was hit.
Patrick Wattson, 60, of Wildomar, was driving a Nissan Frontier south on Grand at about 40 mph when he drifted onto the right shoulder and hit Dettloff, said Officer Nathan Baer, a spokesman for the Temecula-area CHP office. Dettloff, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown to the pavement, Baer said.
Baer said it appears that the driver allowed the truck to drift because he was “momentarily inattentive.”
Bicycles have as much right to be on the road as other vehicles. When automobile drivers violate the rights of a bicyclist, serious injuries and death can occur.
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 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 necessary to obtain a successful result for your case.
