Fatal Hit and Run Accident in Fair Oaks

Home » Fatal Hit and Run Accident in Fair Oaks
January 27, 2020
Edward Smith

Pedestrian Killed in Fair Oaks by a Fleeing Driver

A fatal hit and run accident in Fair Oaks caused by a hit and run driver happened on January 25, 2020. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a man was killed in the crash. The hit and run accident occurred at about 10:30 in the evening on Fair Oaks Boulevard in the area east of New York Avenue. Police reported that the man was lying in the slow lane of the boulevard when he was struck by a dark-colored sedan.

More Details on the Hit and Run Accident

Witnesses at the scene said the man had been in a nearby bar when he was asked to leave the premises because of being in an extremely impaired state. Authorities are reviewing traffic cameras to look at the hit and run accident as it occurred and are searching for the driver involved in the incident. The westbound lanes of Fair Oaks Boulevard were closed as an investigation into the hit and run accident was underway. The police are searching for the fleeing driver, and witnesses to the collision are asked to come forward. The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office has recently identified the decedent as 27-year-old Sebastian Erickson of Sacramento.

Loss of a Loved One in a Hit and Run Accident

Facing the death of someone we love is difficult even when we are prepared for it. Hearing that a family member died in a hit and run accident combines the grief we feel with shock, disbelief and a sense of helplessness. This combination makes it harder to cope. Close friends and family members are needed now more than ever. Here are some ways to help the bereaved person:

  • Recognize that the grieving person needs to talk to others about what happened. This pulls an event that seems impossible into reality and helps the grieving person make sense of loss. The best thing friends and family can do is listen to them without judging. 
  • Offer to do routine chores for the bereaved person such as grocery shopping and taking children to school. If possible, prepare meals the person can warm up. Make sure to ask if there are foods that they cannot have.
  • Drive the bereaved person to doctor appointments and to the funeral parlor. 
  • Be there after the funeral is over. It is difficult to return to the house following a funeral without the deceased being present.

How an Attorney Can Help

There are several ways an attorney can help. Our firm begins by sending out our investigative team to the accident site. This gives our investigators the chance to look for evidence as to why a hit and run accident happened. It also lets them speak to witnesses who saw the crash happen. We search for traffic lights and check nearby businesses for video footage of the accident and examine it. We assist police in finding a hit and run driver by scouring the neighborhood and seeing if anyone can provide information about the fleeing driver. Once all the data is compiled, our investigators release it to our lawyers, who will use the data to build a strong case to support your claim. 

What Happens When the Fleeing Driver Is Not Located

The family often experiences both emotional and financial loss when their loved one is taken suddenly by a negligent person or entity. The loss of the monetary support the deceased provided can mean the difference between meeting household bills or not. They also need to pay for funeral and burial expenses. Normally, a wrongful death lawsuit can help with this. But, what happens when the at-fault party can’t be found. A family member who lives in the residence and is a claimant in the lawsuit can use their uninsured motorist policy without having their rates increase. 

Fair Oaks Wrongful Death Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Fair Oaks wrongful death lawyer. Losing a family member suddenly is difficult. Let us help you. Call my office at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach me online.

I’ve helped residents of Fair Oaks in all types of car accidents, pedestrian injuries, and other types of personal injuries.

I am a proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

Learn about my practice by visiting the pages listed below:

Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/condolences-trauerkarte-letters-3991589/

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