Driver Dies in Hit and Run Accident on Interstate 5
A collision between two motor vehicles on Sunday, August 6, on Interstate 5, caused the death of one person and injuries two others, while the driver of the second vehicle fled the accident scene. The California Highway Patrol is seeking the whereabouts of the second driver in this apparent hit and run.
My heart goes out to the family of the deceased and those injured in the crash.
What Happened
According to a representative of the CHP, a hit and run accident happened at about 5:00 in the morning along the interstate heading northbound near Hood Franklin Road when a driver in a Mercedes CLK attempted to pass a vehicle in the lane to the left. The driver in the left lane, a 68-year-old Lodi resident, Marcelino Castellano, who was driving a Volvo, struck the Mercedes. At this point, the Volvo started rolling toward the other side of the highway, flipped when it struck the median and landed upside down in the opposing lanes.
Accident Result
Castellano died as a result of the crash, while his two passengers, ages 76 and 60, suffered injuries described as both minor and major. While the Mercedes was found, the driver, identified as Tenley Johnson from San Leandro reportedly fled the accident scene. The interstate heading south remained closed for around two hours while the CHP investigated the crash, and vehicles and other debris were removed from the scene.
California Hit and Run Accident
California Vehicle Code 20001 states that any driver who is in a collision that causes an injury or death of someone else faces a charge of felony hit and run if that person leaves the scene of the accident. This applies whether the person caused the accident or not. Under California Vehicle Code 20003, when injury or death to another person is involved, the drivers must exchange names, addresses, including with other occupants of the vehicles, and give this information to the police. In addition, assistance should be offered to anyone injured in the accident, whether it is transporting that person to a hospital for medical care, to a physician or contacting 911 to request assistance.
Links:
What is a wrongful death action and what is a survival action?
California wrongful death accidents are numerous
California Law on Wrongful Death Actions
According to California Civil Procedure 377.60, a claim for wrongful death may be made by the following family members:
- The surviving spouse, putative spouse or domestic partner of the victim
- Parents
- Children, stepchildren or other children in the household for whom the victim supplied 50 percent of financial support. Unrelated minors must have lived in the home for at least 180 days.
Sacramento Hit and Run Accident & Wrongful Death Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. An accident that results in the death of a loved one is tragic and compounded when that death was caused by the negligence of another. If you have suffered an accident injury or lost a family member, please call me at (916) 921-6400 or at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free and friendly advice about your situation.
My experience as an injury lawyer encompasses 35 years, in which I have assisted many Northern Californians, including Sacramento, with their wrongful death cases and traumatic injuries.
When seeking a seasoned lawyer who specializes in personal injuries, reviews by former clients are important. Find comments and reviews at Yelp and Google. Avvo contains comments by clients and peers. My list of some verdicts and settlements may also be helpful.
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As founder and owner of autoaccident.com, answers to many personal injury questions can be found on my site.
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