Father of Victim Who Died in Live Oak Crash Speaks
The father of a 12-year-old girl who died in the recent car accident in Live Oak spoke to reporters about receiving news that his daughter had lost her life while riding with her relatives. Rocklin resident Nicolas Gonzalez tearfully said that he has lost one of his life’s biggest treasures and that his daughter “made (him) feel special.” He also noted that he immigrated to America years ago to provide his daughter a better life. A fundraiser has been organized to help Nicolas and his family pay for burial and funeral costs and can be found at this link.
My sincere condolences are extended to the family and friends of the girl who passed away as a result of this terrible collision.
About the Accident
The tragic accident occurred on an area roadway during the afternoon of Sunday, June 30, 2019, when the 12-year-old girl lost her life in an auto accident just outside of Live Oak. In addition to the fatally injured minor, five other people suffered injuries during the crash. According to officials, two of these individuals were seriously injured. However, updates on their conditions have not yet been provided by hospital staff.
Crash Information
According to California Highway Patrol (CHP), the wreck took place at around 4:30 p.m. on Highway 99 only a few miles south of Live Oak. A 24-year-old Live Oak man was traveling south in a Ford F-250 approaching the Clark road junction. Traffic ahead of the pickup truck had begun to slow down because of a passing CalTrans train. According to police, the driver was texting and failed to notice traffic slowing ahead of him. The Ford rear-ended an Acura while traveling at about 55 miles per hour. The Acura had reportedly been traveling at around 15 miles per hour when the accident took place.
The impact between the Ford and Acura caused the 12-year-old girl to be ejected through one of the sedan’s windows while the vehicle was pushed out into northbound lanes. The Ford continued south, striking a third vehicle. The third vehicle, a Honda CRV, overturned as a result of the impact. Following this second collision, the truck came to a rest on the northbound side of the highway, eventually catching fire. Reports indicated that two more vehicles that had been traveling northbound on Highway 99 became involved in the accident as well.
Injuries
When responders arrived, they found that the young girl had suffered critical injuries. The 12-year-old was transported by helicopter to an intensive care unit at a nearby hospital. Tragically, doctors were not able to help her, and she passed away at the hospital.
The driver and second passenger of the Acura, identified as relatives of the young girl, were reportedly trapped inside of their wrecked vehicle as a result of the crash. Firefighters extricated the individuals from the wreckage and determined that they had both suffered severe injuries. Both the driver and passenger were hospitalized.
The driver of the Ford was reported to have suffered moderate injuries and was taken to a hospital as well. Two more individuals sustained minor trauma during the accident, but it is unclear whether or not they accepted medical attention.
Talking to an Attorney
Those who’ve lost loved ones in car accidents deserve to have emotional and financial security. To recover for damages like pain and suffering, funeral costs, and more, families should speak with an attorney and learn about what options are available to them. Often, families can claim payments from insurers, vehicle manufacturers, or other negligent parties. Learn more by watching the following video:
More Blogs by Live Oak Wrongful Death Attorney, Ed Smith
- How Deadly Accidents Affect Families
- How can a Live Oak Personal Injury Attorney Help Me?
- Vehicle Accidents and Grief
Live Oak Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Live Oak wrongful death lawyer. Recovering after a fatal accident has affected your family can be very hard. If someone you care about passed away in a collision, call (800) 404-5400 or (530) 392-9400, so I can give you free, friendly legal advice.
I’ve helped Live Oak and Sutter County residents claim fair repayments through settlements and verdicts in wrongful death cases for 37 years. For information about my work, take a moment to read through my client reviews at these third-party sites:
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