Franklin Boulevard Intersection Accident Claims Life of Elk Grove Motorcyclist
A two-vehicle fatality accident caused the death of one man on February 20 in Sacramento when a driver ran a red light and struck a motorcycle, killing the rider. The collision occurred on Franklin Boulevard at its intersection with Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard around 10:27 p.m. Officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Sacramento Police Department arrived at the scene, along with first responders with the Sacramento Fire Department.
Fatality Accident Reportedly Caused by Young Sacramentan
According to the report on the two-vehicle accident, the impact from the collision was so severe that debris was strewn from MLK down an entire block to 48th Avenue. The vehicle driver who caused the collision was identified as a 23-year-old Sacramento resident who was in a Chevy Tahoe pickup. The motorcycle rider who died in the accident was identified as 65-year-old Raymond Charles Wheeler of Elk Grove.
Details of the Fatality Accident
Wheeler had been riding on a BMW S1000 traveling south and stopped at MLK in the left turn lane as he waited for the light to change. When the light changed to green, the rider passed into the intersection where the pickup driver struck him while speeding at 80 to 90 mph. The motorcycle rider was ejected from his bike and landed on a sidewalk.
Driver Placed Under Arrest
The driver of the pickup remained at the scene and told officers he had picked up food and was headed home at the time of the two-vehicle accident. He also admitted he had been drinking alcohol earlier. After conducting a sobriety test, the driver was taken into custody and faces charges of manslaughter and DUI.
How an Injury Lawyer Can Help
Despite trying to slow the incidence of drunk drivers on the road through education and police presence, it continues to endanger innocent motorists, pedestrians, and others in our area. While a family is mourning the loss of their loved one, the last thing on their minds is filing a claim for damages. However, a wrongful death claim accomplishes two things.
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit not only holds the drunk driver responsible for their actions so they will not take that risk again; however, it can also help the family financially and give them peace of mind and a sense of justice that their loved one’s death was not in vain.
Recovery of Damages Following a Wrongful Death
In addition to a criminal action, a drunk driver can be held financially responsible for the death of an innocent person. This is important, especially when the deceased loved one was a family provider. The loss of the help, support, and income the loved one provided can cause financial stress, which is addressed by filing a claim. Some of the areas in which compensation can be claimed include:
- Loss of wages, pension benefits, insurance, and others
- Loss of consortium, love, affection, and emotional support
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of household help such as mowing the lawn, paying bills, auto maintenance, and others
- Loss of guidance, support, and comfort
- Funeral and burial expenses
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Sacramento car accident lawyer. The family may file a claim for wrongful death to recover damages when someone has died as a result of another motorist’s negligent actions. Although it will not ease the grief they feel, it can help bring closure and peace of mind for the loss of their loved one. If you would like my compassionate, free and friendly advice, contact me at (916) 921-6400 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400. You can also contact me online.
My legal team and I have worked hard since 1982 to obtain the compensation my clients deserve for the loss of their loved ones in wrongful death, in traffic collision injuries, and to obtain justice for their traumas.
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Attributed photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/candle-light-candlelight-flame-2038736/
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