San Diego Personal Injury Attorney Blog

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office reported Monday that a 19-year-old Active Duty Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton was tragically killed early Monday morning in a crash on Interstate 805. The victim, who was named, was a front seat passenger and one of two occupants in a 2008 Ford Ranger pickup truck, travelling northbound on Interstate 805 over Interstate 8. For reasons that are not known but under investigation, the driver of the pickup truck lost control and struck a flatbed tow truck on the right shoulder of the highway. The tow truck driver and the driver of the pickup truck were taken to the hospital. The passenger died at the scene of the January 3, 2011 I-805 crash, which occurred around 2:30 a.m.

Cause of the Fatal Interstate 805 Crash

The California Highway Patrol is the agency responsible for investigating this fatal collision. According to 10 News, a blood tech was requested to the hospital by the CHP to take a blood test, which will determine if the driver of the Ford Ranger was intoxicated. It is also possible that the truck came into contact with water on the roadway, causing the driver to lose control. Hopefully, the investigation by the CHP will reveal exactly what happened, and who was responsible.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

If the CHP determines the driver of the Ford Ranger is responsible for the collision, he or she may be held financially responsible for the passenger's death in a civil claim for wrongful death. Additionally, the driver of the Ford Ranger could also be liable for the injuries sustained by a tow truck driver. After an accident such as this one, it would certainly be advisable for the family members of the victims of this horrific accident to speak to a knowledgeable and experienced San Diego personal injury attorney who has represented numerous victims of similar accidents. A lawyer can review the report by law enforcement, and further advise the victims of their legal rights to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death claim following this tragic accident.