Fatal Single-Vehicle Accident in Gridley
Local officials reported that one person lost his life during a fatal single-vehicle accident in Gridley on Sunday, April 5, 2020. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office has identified the decedent as 31-year-old Derick Ray Womack. California Highway Patrol (CHP) is investigating the accident and have indicated that Womack was the only individual injured during the incident.
Collision Details
CHP reports that they were contacted by an individual who spotted Womack’s wrecked vehicle at around 9:00 a.m. The caller reported seeing a vehicle submerged in around seven feet of water located in a canal bordering the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area in Gridley. Both the Butte County Sheriff’s Office and CHP sent officers to respond to the incident.
Officials arriving at the scene discovered a 1998 Cadillac Deville had crashed into the canal. Upon investigation, responders discovered Womack inside of the vehicle. Tragically, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Investigation
As police continue to investigate the crash, no suspected causes have been reported. After conducting preliminary investigations, officers indicated that Womack had been driving westbound on Liberty Road prior to the accident. As he reached a dead-end at the gated entrance of a piece of private property, Womack’s vehicle continued through the gate and entered a muddy field.
After entering the field, the vehicle traveled onto a muddy road bordering the nearby drainage canal. According to police, the Cadillac continued west for around 600 feet before encountering a 90-degree curve. At this point, the vehicle slid off the road and crashed into the canal. Police indicated that the vehicle landed on its roof in around 5 feet of water, leaving Womack trapped inside.
Wrongful Death
Learning that your loved one lost their life during a car accident can be devastating. Many people experience intense shock after hearing the news of a deadly crash and can feel totally overwhelmed. During the first stages of grief, it can be hard to focus or even keep up with normal, daily tasks. However, for many families, focusing on coping with their feelings is impossible because of pressing financial concerns related to the accident.
Losing somebody you love can also mean no longer having access to an income source that you and your family rely on. In other cases, families are left without important services like home maintenance or childcare. Worrying about how they will continue to live their lives can prevent families from focusing on their emotional wellbeing during a traumatic time.
Getting Help
The effects of a fatal crash on families are serious. However, many families are able to get help by working with a lawyer to file a wrongful death claim. By filing a claim, it’s possible to obtain compensation for your financial and personal losses after a fatal accident, providing you and your family with the financial stability you deserve during a very difficult period of your life. To learn more about claiming compensation after a deadly crash, watch this video:
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Gridley Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Gridley wrongful death lawyer. If a fatal collision has affected your family, call me at (800) 404-5400 or (530) 392-9400 for my free, friendly advice.
I have been helping people in Gridley and Butte County with fatal injury claims for more than 38 years. If you would like to learn a bit more about me and my work, take a moment to look through my settlements and verdicts or visit the below sites where I’ve received outstanding client feedback:
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