Update | One Killed, Three Injured in Crash on Oakdale-Waterford Highway

Home » Update | One Killed, Three Injured in Crash on Oakdale-Waterford Highway
April 19, 2023
Edward Smith

Fatal Crash on Oakdale-Waterford Highway

On the night of Friday, April 14, 2023, the California Highway Patrol reported a fatal crash on the Oakdale-Waterford Highway in Stanislaus County. The incident occurred along Ellenwood Road in the vicinity of the Oakdale-Waterford Highway at approximately 9:45 p.m., officials said.

Information of the Fatal Crash on Oakdale-Waterford Highway

A preliminary investigation by authorities revealed that a Ford Mustang was headed southbound on Ellenwood Road at the time of the incident. For unknown reasons, the vehicle veered off the roadway and crashed into a tree. The impact of the collision allegedly ejected the motorist and a juvenile passenger from the vehicle. Sadly, the driver was declared deceased at the crash site. Officials have recently identified the motorist as 25-year-old Waterford resident Jose Munoz Jr. His family has established a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral costs.

The juvenile sustained serious injuries and was transported via air ambulance to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento for medical care. Two other juvenile passengers in the vehicle were transported by ambulance to UC Davis Medical Center as a precautionary measure, officials said. All the children were from Waterford. The Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District reported that the car caught fire after the occupants got out of it. Additional information on the single-vehicle crash on Ellenwood Road near the Oakdale-Waterford Highway in Stanislaus County was unavailable. An investigation into the fatal car accident is ongoing by CHP traffic officers.

Reimbursement for Injuries and Losses from a Car Wreck

The reality is that no amount of money may ever make up for serious injuries or the loss of a loved one in a crash that was preventable. However, it is essential that injured parties and families of deceased relatives know that justice and financial compensation may be sought through a claim for personal injury. In this type of claim, medical bills, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages may be recovered. Wrongful death actions may seek reimbursement for end-of-life care (via survival action), funeral costs, financial support that was lost, loss of a loved one’s support and services, and more.

According to California law, the immediate surviving family members of an individual killed in an accident may be eligible for financial recovery through a wrongful death action. This is generally the deceased’s spouse, domestic partner, or children, as outlined in CCP 377.60. Other relatives may be eligible for filing in specific circumstances. Keep in mind that a strict deadline of two years applies to cases of wrongful death.

For a single-vehicle collision case, an independent investigation is necessary to determine other factors that may have contributed to the incident. Fault may lie with more than one party, including a vehicle manufacturer for faulty car parts and a government agency for unsafe design or insufficient roadway maintenance. Fortunately, a skilled lawyer can help investigate a solo car accident and identify at-fault parties. For more details on wrongful death actions, watch this video or schedule a free consultation with our injury attorneys at AutoAccident.com.

Personal Injury Attorney in Modesto

The loss of a close relative is nearly always a tragic and heartbreaking situation. If the loss of life occurred in an accident caused by the negligence of another party or entity, the ordeal may be completely devastating and overwhelming. Surviving family members may find themselves with many unanswered questions in addition to uncertainties on how to move forward. The good news is that help is available in these cases. At AutoAccident.com, our Modesto personal injury lawyers offer compassionate, free, and friendly case advice. Call (209) 227-1931 locally or our toll-free line at (800) 404-5400 to get started.

At AutoAccident.com, we understand that the road to justice and financial recovery in a personal injury or wrongful death case may be challenging. However, our legal team has the resources, skills, and knowledge to help you and your family succeed. We have decades of combined experience handling a wide array of accident cases. With the help of our California personal injury lawyers, you can rest assured knowing that your case is in good hands. We will stop at nothing to hold the other side liable for their actions and obtain the full compensation you need to put this traumatic event behind you.

To get an idea of how we have assisted former clients with their accident cases, we invite you to visit our Yelp, Google, and Avvo pages. On those sites, you will find detailed reviews and comments from our past clients about their experiences working with our team of accident attorneys. Our history of successful case resolutions is listed for your reference on our Settlements and Verdicts page. We strive to provide clients with favorable case outcomes and excellent service. These qualities have earned us membership in the California chapters of the Top 1 Percent and the Million Dollar Forum.

Photo Credit: “IvanCuesta” Pexels

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