SAN DIEGO - A 56-year-old San Diego County woman very tragically died at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla late Tuesday morning, about an hour after being struck by a speeding vehicle on Camino Del Sur, the San Diego Union Tribune reported. The victim, Joan Milazzo, 56, had been hiking with her husband and sister when the group began crossing Camino Del Sur, south of Caminito Santaluz Norte in the Black Mountain area. The driver of a Nissan Sentra had been speeding in the southbound lane when he lost control of his vehicle and struck Milazzo. Witnesses called 911 and initiated CPR. She was rushed to the La Jolla hospital, where she died around 11:00 a.m.
Cause of the Fatal Pedestrian Accident
The San Diego Union Tribune reported that charges are pending against the driver, per the Medical Examiner's office. The driver was only identified as a 25-year-old motorist. Based on the information provided in news reports, it appears that the driver of the Nissan Sentra is likely responsible for this fatal collision. However, the cause of the August 30th pedestrian accident remains under investigation by the San Diego Police Department.
San Diego Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Liability
If the investigation confirms that the driver of the Sentra is responsible for causing Milazzo's tragic death, he will likely face criminal charges for reckless driving and/or vehicular manslaughter. In addition to criminal charges, he may also be held civilly liable for causing the victim's wrongful death. Damages obtained in a wrongful death action may include final medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings and financial contributions the decedent would have made to her family, and loss of love, care, affection and companionship. While this incident remains under investigation, the family members of the victim may benefit in speaking with a knowledgeable San Diego wrongful death lawyer about their legal rights and options to hold the driver and any other at-fault parties accountable to the maximum extent.
Sources: San Diego Union Tribune
Joan Milazzo was a dear personal friend of mine for 35 years. She was a hard working person who helped cancer patients, raised a good responsible only daughter, worked hard for the past 40 years, and recently retired this year to move to her dream home with her husband to be close to their new grandchild and family. She was a good person all of her life who put friends, family, and her job before anything else. She was intelligent, happy, and loved by all who knew her. She is gone now, due to a careless, wreckless driver. We are all devastated beyond belief.
Please slow down, be responsible. It is such a waste of a precious life. We will miss her forever.
Diane C
Diane,
Thank you for taking the time to share a comment on our blog. It sounds like you lost a wonderful and loving friend. I am so sorry for your loss.
Valerie