Driver in Downtown Sacramento Pedestrian Fatality Arrested
A suspect has been taken into custody following the Sacramento hit-and-run death of a pedestrian on August 13. The man who was arrested, age 22, faces charges of felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter. The arrest came after surveillance footage of the accident was released by the Sacramento Police Department. It pictured a gray or black GMC Sonora, which showed moderate damage to the hood and bumper on the passenger side.
Further Information About the Hit-and-Run Accident
The accident happened at about noon at 4th and I streets downtown, not far from the train station. Investigators believe the driver ran a red light and then struck Charles Holley, age 51, and a Citrus Heights resident. The suspect then fled from the accident scene before the arrival of the police. Mr. Holley suffered significant injuries from the traffic accident and was taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead.
Facing a Wrongful Death in the Family
Having a loved one pass away is one of the hardest things anyone can face. However, when the loved one dies due to another person or entity’s reckless act, the grief family members feel is compounded by anger and disbelief.
They long for justice since the decedent can no longer fight for themselves. One way to accomplish this is to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault person or entity. Wrongful death claims do not bring back the family member, but they do make the guilty person pay financially for their wrongdoing.
Can a Wrongful Death Claim Be Filed Against a Convicted Person?
An arrest or conviction does not hinder filing a wrongful death claim. If the guilty party is convicted of the crime linked to the loved one’s death, the trial’s evidence can be used against the person in court to prove negligence.
Watch the following video presented by wrongful death attorney Ed Smith:
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim
Family members, including a spouse, a putative spouse, children (adopted and natural-born) as long as the decedent supported them, can be included in a wrongful death lawsuit. Also, the deceased’s parents can file as long as they live 50 percent of the time in the home and received half their support from the decedent.
Investigation of a Hit-and-Run
Locating a hit-and-run suspect can be difficult. However, my office has a good track record finding fleeing drivers. We do this by not only working with police and other authorities but by conducting our own investigation. In the event the driver cannot be located, there are other options for a grieving family to recover damages.
Other ways we investigate the accident are:
- Our investigators interview witnesses.
- We obtain video footage of the accident from cell phones or traffic surveillance cameras.
- Our investigators use accident reconstruction techniques that show the position of the vehicles before and after impact.
- We canvas the area talking to business owners and residents to see if they have any information about the driver’s identity.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage After a Hit-and-Run
If a hit-and-run driver cannot be found, the family can use their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage instead. This will pay for funeral and burial costs. It will not increase the premiums.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento
I am Ed Smith, and I’m a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. The grief of losing a loved one is compounded when a careless driver is to blame. Give me a call at (916) 921-6400 or at (800) 404-5400 if you would like my free and friendly advice. Another option is to message me online.
It has been my honor to have successfully represented many Sacramentans to obtain compensation for the past 38 years, including any types of traffic crashes, cases involving wrongful death, government claims, and traumatic injuries.
Look over the following links to learn more about my firm:
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-open-candle-candlelight-1926414/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9-lg0clbRM
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