The Incident
On the morning of February 28, 2019, a 59-year-old trucker hit a median strip on Interstate-5 and jackknifed his Redding semi-truck. When the big rig finally crashed to a stop, it was blocking the right lane of the freeway, prompting the trucker to get out of his vehicle to assess the damage.
It was still dark when a 35-year-old man in a 2016 Volvo truck attempted to squeeze between the median and the jackknifed vehicle. Tragically, his impatience proved to be fatal: the driver struck and killed the trucker while passing through the accident scene. According to law enforcement officials, the hit-and-run driver didn’t even realize he had hit a person until he pulled over at the next rest stop.
The Aftermath
The accident is still under investigation, and it’s currently unknown if the Siskiyou County District Attorney will press charges against the still-unidentified driver. The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office plans to release the driver’s identity once the victim’s next of kin has been notified.
If you have any information about this incident, please call the Yreka CHP office at (530) 842-0530.
Hit-And-Run Accidents in California
Per California’s hit-and-run laws, a driver has a legal obligation to pull over after an accident, even if the other party wasn’t injured during the collision. If the harm is limited to property damage, a negligent driver can face misdemeanor charges and stiff legal penalties under CA Vehicle Code 20002(a). However, a driver can also be charged with a felony hit-and-run under CA Vehicle Code Section 20001 if the victim was injured or killed.
According to California law, a driver must take the following actions after a traffic collision:
- Immediately pull over at a safe location
- Provide reasonable assistance to any injured parties
- Exchange information with the other driver
- Contact law enforcement officials and report the accident
- Wait for law enforcement officials to arrive
A felony conviction can lead to fines ranging between $1,000-$10,000 and/or 1-4 years in prison or jail.
Injured by a Hit-And-Run Driver? Contact Haslerud Law Office Today.
If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident, contact the trial-tested Redding car accident lawyers at Haslerud Law Office today. Our legal team has over 75 years of collective legal experience and a comprehensive understanding of California’s personal injury laws. By meticulously investigating your case, we can develop a strong litigation strategy that aims to maximize your claim and safeguard your quality of life.
Contact Haslerud Law Office at (530) 968-4300 to schedule a free case evaluation.