California Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
A street race on Mead Valley roads led to a tragic crash injuring a father and killing his two young sons. The wrongful death car accident occurred when two vehicles were racing side-by-side and one of the racing vehicles hit the family’s car.
According to ABC News, the father and his sons were driving westbound around 5:40 p.m. The racing cars, a Honda and Nissan Ultima, were traveling east bound. As they reached the top of a hill, the driver of the Honda allegedly saw the family, “but apparently didn’t have time to react and slammed into the vehicle head-on.” The father and his sons were rushed to the hospital, but the two boys, ages 6 and 8, passed away.
The driver of the Honda was also taken to the hospital with moderate injuries. However, the Nissan Ultima, the other racing vehicle, fled the scene. Police are still looking for information about this car and driver. The driver of the Honda will now likely face criminal charges for street racing as well as charges for vehicular manslaughter.
In California, street racing (often referred to as a speed contest) is a crime. This can include racing against another car, as well as, drifting, drag racing, and any other speed exhibitions. The penalties for this crime can be rather severe although it’s a misdemeanor under California law. However, if any injuries occur, like the tragic deaths in this case, the penalties can be even harsher resulting in significant jail time for the driver.
So what does this mean for the victims of an illegal street race? If you have lost loved ones due to the careless act of street racing by another driver, you can also file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver at fault, as he is liable for the wrongful death in addition to any criminal charges he may be facing.
The father in this case should speak with an experienced Southern California wrongful death attorney. A wrongful death suit helps the surviving family members obtain financial compensation to help them handle the financial burdens including the unexpected hospital and funeral costs that occur as a result of this type of accident. Additionally, the father can file a personal injury suit to receive compensation for his own injuries.
We wish our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of this father and his two young boys. We hope the father can receive the justice he deserves for the wrongful death of his sons.