Two People Die During Samoa Bridge Auto Accident
On Wednesday, August 5, 2020, two area residents tragically lost their lives during a car accident that happened on the Samoa Bridge just outside of Eureka. The decedents were later identified by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office as 52-year-old Eureka man William Bryant Montgomery and 42-year-old Arcata man James Rowland. The cause of this crash is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Accident Details
The accident took place at around 2:30 a.m. on Highway 255 on the western side of Humboldt Bay. The two men were traveling in a 2007 Chevy pickup truck over the third span of the Samoa Bridge when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle suddenly veered and drove off the road. The truck reportedly crashed into the bay and was submerged.
A man who had been driving in the area witnessed the accident and called CHP, who immediately dispatched a response team to the accident scene. When responders arrived at the location, rescue swimmers entered the water and swam to the vehicle. Swimmers discovered both Montgomery and Rowland inside of the truck. Both men were taken to St. Joseph hospital but were tragically pronounced deceased on arrival.
Investigation
As CHP continues their investigation into the accident, no likely collision factors have been reported. Investigating officers have asked for help from members of the public who witnessed the crash or have information about the incident. Those with information should contact CHP at (707) 822-5981.
Collisions without any surviving drivers present a difficult challenge to investigators. Because police aren’t able to ask the driver questions about the events that took place, it’s often hard for them to fully understand what factors caused the crash. For this reason, families should always get in touch with a local wrongful death attorney who can launch a private collision investigation. Using their experience and resources, your lawyer can look into whether or not any negligence was involved in the accident and make sure your family is properly compensated by insurance companies, car manufacturers, and/or other liable parties.
Wrongful Death Damages
Replacing the presence of a loved one sadly is not possible. However, family members and dependents are often able to claim substantial compensation by pursuing wrongful death claims. Because the loss of a loved one can affect many different areas of your life, these claims can include a wide variety of compensation types, including payments for funeral and burial services, lost income, personal suffering, and more.
To learn more about the types of compensation that might be available to you and your family, the best thing you can do is get in touch with an attorney and get personal advice about your specific case. However, if you want some information before reaching out to a lawyer, you can take a moment to watch this video:
Other Content by Ed Smith, Eureka Wrongful Death Attorney
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Wrongful Death Lawyer in Eureka, CA
I’m Ed Smith, a Eureka wrongful death lawyer. Families that have suffered the loss of a loved one deserve to get help. For my free, friendly case advice, please call me at either (800) 404-5400 or (707) 564-1900
My law firm has been helping individuals and families in Eureka and nearby cities for 38 years, and we’ve obtained many valuable settlements and verdicts for our valued clients.
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