A Ramona woman was killed Tuesday afternoon in a head-on crash on a notorious stretch of Highway 67 in Lakeside, authorities reported. The head-on collision occurred at about 2:30 p.m., between Willow Road and Johnson Lake Road. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Bridgette Hale, 36, of Ramona. According to news reports, Bridgette Hale was driving south on State Route 67 when her Chevy Astrovan was hit head-on by an Oldsmobile 98. The driver of the Oldsmobile, John Hallaway, 51, of Las Vegas, was driving northbound when his car veered into northbound lanes and collided with Hale's van.
Hale was wearing a seatbelt, and according to the CHP, there was nothing she could have done to avoid the crash. San Diego 6 News reported that the Hallaway may have fallen asleep at the wheel. Hallaway reportedly told paramedics that he couldn't remember what happened and thought he fell asleep. He was flown by Mercy Air to a local hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.
According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's press release, Bridgette Hale was the mother of an infant boy. We extend our deepest sympathy to her family and everyone who knew and loved her. Please keep her family and her young son in your prayers.
The cause of the fatal Lakeside crash is still under investigation. There was no initial evidence of drugs or alcohol at the scene. If the news reports are accurate and this accident was caused by a negligent driver, the driver may be held liable for causing this fatal accident. If some other dangerous road condition contributed to the accident, the agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. While this horrific head-on collision remains under investigation, the family of Bridgette Hale would be well advised to consult with a San Diego wrongful death attorney. An experienced lawyer can help the family protect their legal rights and seek and obtain full and fair compensation for their loss.
Sources: San Diego 6, 760 KFMB
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