Fresno, CA (December 14, 2023) John Ortiz, 77, was a cancer survivor from Selma, California. He was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident on Highway 99 in Fresno on Monday, December 11th. The fatal collision took place right around 3:00 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
Ortiz’s wife was driving their pickup truck at the time of the accident. Authorities believe a Chrysler 200 sedan was also involved and fled the scene after hitting the pickup truck. The California Highway Patrol said they think the vehicle drifted into the lane that Ortiz and his wife were traveling in and hit the passenger side of their pickup.
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Officer Mike Salas with the CHP said that the pickup then lost control and went into the center divide on the highway. “Unfortunately, two of the parties sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital,” Salas said. The driver of the Chrysler then fled the scene.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver of the Chrysler now faces felony hit-and-run charges. John Ortiz, the passenger in the pickup, sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash. He was rushed to Community Regional Medical Center where he later died from his injuries.
Officer Salas stated that Ortiz’s family is upset. One of his grandchildren said, “My grandfather was a good man with a kind heart. Our family has lost its pillar, and we are all devastated by his loss.” Ortiz leaves behind children, grandchildren, great-grandchild and a heart-broken wife. Officers are working hard to bring the person responsible to justice for this family.
Who Is At Fault In A Fresno Collision
Although safety measures for vehicles have improved over the years, car accidents remain one of the leading causes of severe injuries and even death in the United States. More than 32,000 people are killed and 2 million injured in car accidents each year, according to the CDC. Several things contribute to car accidents, such as distracted driving, drunk driving, inclement weather, dangerous turns, speeding and even roads that are poorly designed.
Every driver is legally obligated to avoid causing accidents. This holds even more true for commercial drivers who work for the city. A large number of collisions are due to drivers who make dangerous left turns.
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, such as finding any surveillance evidence of the accident, taking photos of the scene and damaged vehicles, speaking with witnesses, preserving medical records and last, but not least, a thorough investigation should be conducted.
Any victim’s family could have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages sought in a legal claim can help cover the cost of medical bills, lost wages, funeral expenses and pain and suffering. It is important that all evidence is preserved properly following a car accident. An attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what legal options you have.
The Investigation Of A Fresno Accident
All of us at Accident News Now extend our deepest condolences to the family of John Ortiz during this difficult time. If you have any information about this accident, you should reach out to the police. A thorough investigation must be conducted for those who have lost so much in this accident.
Do you or someone you know need more information about an accident in Glen Rose? Reach out to us any time at (866) 945-4286. Our team of personal injury lawyers is here to help you. We care that accident victims know their rights and that those rights are protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need help regarding a specific accident, we care and are ready to help. Call us or use our online contact form at Accident News Now.
