I’m Ed Smith, an Ukiah car accident lawyer. On Tuesday, August 15, 2017, a 33-year-old man from Los Angeles County turned himself in to California Highway Patrol (CHP). The man showed up at the Ukiah CHP office and surrendered as a suspect of a recent hit-and-run accident that occurred north of Ukiah.
The man was booked into the Mendocino County Jail on charges of felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter. His bail has been set at $50,000.
About the Accident
The car accident occurred on Sunday, August 13, 2017. CHP officers reported that a 2001 Ford Explorer that had been traveling north on Highway 101 close to the intersection of Steel Lane in Laytonville crossed over the double yellow lines of the highway and into the oncoming lane. After driving into the oncoming lane the vehicle struck a 1965 Ford Falcon that had been traveling south on the highway.
After the collision occurred, the driver of the Ford Explorer reportedly left his vehicle and left the scene of the collision.
Injuries
At the time of the accident, there were two people inside the Ford Falcon. The passenger of the vehicle, identified by CHP as 53-year-old Concord resident Lorna Ballard, received fatal injuries during the collision and was declared dead at the crash site.
The driver of the Ford Falcon, an unidentified 46-year-old male Concord resident, was determined to have received major injuries. Initially, the man was taken to the Willits Howard Memorial Hospital. However, he was later taken by helicopter to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital to receive further emergency care.
We extend our sympathy to the family and friends of Ms. Ballard during this difficult time. We send our wishes for a full recovery to the other injured motorist.
Wrongful Death Claims
Losing somebody you love is never easy and the difficulties that one faces after a case of wrongful death are many. Although the damage can never be undone, California law states that those who have lost people due to the negligence of others are able to seek recompense.
Those with wrongful death cases are able to recover for a wide range of losses associated with a loved one’s death including loss of inheritance, loss of future financial support, burial and funeral costs, loss of parental care, medical expenses incurred before death, and more.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions such as this are the sixth most common type of accident to injure people living in Mendocino county. Additionally, Mendocino saw 91 injury front-end collision during 2013-2016.
Head-On crashes are very dangerous and result in injury more often than other types of collisions. Even at low speeds, they can seriously injure drivers and passengers and at speeds over 40 miles per hour, they almost always cause catastrophic injuries.
Related Blogs written by Ed Smith ~
Ukiah Car Accident Lawyer & Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, and I am a Ukiah car accident lawyer. If you’ve lost a loved one in an accident, please reach out to me at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for compassionate and friendly advice. It is free to call and talk to me. If calling from elsewhere, you can use my (800) 404-5400.
I’ve been helping Ukiah residents get the repayment they deserve in personal injury and wrongful death cases for over 35 years.
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(image credited to Wikimedia Commons)
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