Update | Two Fatalities Occur Near St. Helena in Single-Vehicle Crash

Home » Update | Two Fatalities Occur Near St. Helena in Single-Vehicle Crash
May 24, 2023
Edward Smith

Single-Vehicle Crash on Highway 29/128 Causes Two Fatalities

Two students attending the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone were killed on May 20 in a single-vehicle crash near St. Helena. The accident happened around 2:00 a.m. along Highway 29/128, close to Mee Lane. A report had been received by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) of a vehicle that was speeding in the area. 

Reported Speeding Driver Loses Control and Crashes

The driver of a BMW sedan carrying three people apparently lost control, going over the center line and striking a sign on the highway’s shoulder. The vehicle then overturned. The activity log of the St. Helena Police Department reported that an officer had turned on their flashing lights, but the vehicle sped off before pursuit could be initiated. 

Speed in Single-Vehicle Crash Clocked by Local Police

The officer in that vehicle said the BMW was closed at 127 mph before it crashed. The CHP traffic investigators are working to determine what happened. The Napa County Coroner’s Office has recently identified the decedents as Caitlin Leedy, age 27, and Anthony Sanchez, age 28, both Stockton residents. 

Accidental Death and Injury Compensation

Having been injured in a traffic crash or losing a loved one may entitle you to compensation. Identifying the legally responsible party is the first step in any personal injury claim so that you can determine whether their negligence caused your injuries or the death of a loved one. Another driver, a government agency that failed to maintain the road, or a product manufacturer may be responsible for your compensation, depending on the circumstances.

The Claims Process After a Traffic Collision Injury or Fatality

In order to receive compensation after a single-vehicle crash injury caused by someone else, you will need to file a personal injury claim against the responsible party and their insurance company. To prove negligence, your lawyer can gather witness testimony, the police report, and photos of the single-vehicle crash scene. There may also be a need to submit additional proof of damages, such as medical records or lost wages.

Similarly, wrongful death claims are pursued in the same manner. As part of the compensation process, the family’s lawyer can gather and calculate evidence of lost wages, end of life expenses and the pain and suffering of family members, among others.

An Injury Lawyer Can Assist You in Recovering Compensation for a Single-Vehicle Crash

We understand that you will be experiencing great stress and emotional turmoil after getting injured or losing a loved one in a collision, and we will strive to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation. Let us provide you with a free consultation. Our priority is protecting your rights, and we are here to help you every step of the way.

The following considerations should be made when choosing an attorney, according to injury lawyer Ed Smith:

St. Helena Personal Injury Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a St. Helena personal injury lawyer. Losing a loved one or being injured in a traffic accident is a struggle and heartbreaking. If the cause of the accident was negligence, a wrongful death or personal injury claim may be placed against the vehicle’s driver to recover compensation. You are welcome to contact our accident attorneys for free and friendly advice at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for a free case review and to find out if you can recover damages. You can also reach us online

We belong to the following groups that show our commitment to obtaining maximum compensation for our clients: 

The following outcomes have been achieved for our clients and cases handled by our injury lawyers:

Photo attribution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLQ8I1W1gR8&t=10s; Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay 

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