SAN DIEGO, CA (November 2, 2022) – Authorities have publicly identified Suzanne Thompson and a San Diego couple who were fatally injured in a head-on crash on a Mission Beach-area thoroughfare.
The triple-fatality collision took place about 3 p.m. Saturday, after 62-year-old Andrew Small of San Diego slumped over the wheel of the Ford EcoSport he was driving on Mission Boulevard, near Belmont Park, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
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The southbound vehicle wound up on the northbound side of the street, where it collided at high speed with an oncoming Kia Sportage, the county agency reported.
Small died of blunt-force trauma at the scene of the wreck, as did a backseat passenger in the Kia, 59-year-old Suzanne Thompson, a resident of Henderson, Nevada.
Paramedics took Small’s 70-year-old wife, Mary, who had been riding beside him in the Ford, to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, where she succumbed to her injuries Monday afternoon.
The couple’s companion and two people who had been riding in the Kia were treated for minor injuries.
It was unclear why Andrew Small apparently became incapacitated behind the wheel of his SUV. Intoxication was not believed to have been a factor in the accident, according to Officer Robert Heims of the San Diego Police Department.
[via City News Service]
Liability In Mission Beach Car Accidents
Despite improved safety measures for cars, motor vehicle accidents remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in the United States. According to the CDC, “more than 32,000 people are killed and 2 million are injured each year from motor vehicle crashes.” There are a number of factors that could potentially contribute to a car accident including:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Inclement weather
- Dangerous turns
- Poorly designed roadways
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid causing accidents. This is especially true for commercial drivers that work for a city. A number of collisions are due to drivers that make dangerous left turns. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21801, the driver of any vehicle intending to turn left must yield the right of way traveling from the opposite direction close enough to pose a hazard.
If a negligent driver worked for a city, that city could potentially be liable in the event of an accident. Generally speaking, employers are vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. There are a number of steps that should be taken after a car accident.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- A thorough independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any victim that has died in a car accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. It is essential that evidence is properly preserved after a car accident. A car accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Suzanne Thompson’s Mission Beach Accident
We at Accident News Now extend our deepest condolences to the family of Suzanne Thompson, Andrew Small, and Mary Small. We hope that their friends and family can find peace during this very difficult time. Any person that may have information about what happened should reach out to the police. A thorough investigation must be conducted for the sake of all who have lost so much.
Do you need more information about a Mission Beach car accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that negligent drivers are held to account for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (844) 966-0965.