Ericka Gonzalez, Esmeralda Rangel Died In Sun Village Car Accident With Pickup Truck By The Intersection of Avenue R and 100th Street East
SUN VILLAGE, CALIFORNIA (January 9, 2022) – Two people identified as Ericka Gonzalez and Esmeralda Rangel died in a Sun Village car accident by Avenue R and 100th Street East.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the collision took place around 2:38 p.m. on Tuesday. Ericka Gonzalez and Esmeralda Rangel were both in a Hyundai Venue traveling northbound.
The Hyundai was hit by a GMC Sierra pickup truck that ran a stop sigh. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victims.
Sadly, both Ericka Gonzalez and Esmeralda Rangel died due to the severity of their injuries. California Highway Patrol said that they suspect alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Sun Village Car Accidents
Driver intoxication remains one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States. According to the NHTSA, “Every day, about 32 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 45 minutes. In 2020, 11,654 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from 2019.” Even small amounts of alcohol below the legal limit can affect drivers in the following ways.
- Drivers with a BAC of 0.05% have a hard time staying in their lane.
- Drivers with a BAC of 0.05% have delayed reaction times.
- Drivers with a BAC of 0.05% have trouble maintaining a safe distance with the vehicles ahead of them.
It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22450, the driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign must stop at the limit line and yield to cross traffic before proceeding. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that goes past a yield sign without stopping.
If the driver of a pickup truck was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. There are many steps that should be taken after a car accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- The employment status of any pickup truck driver should be determined.
The family of any person that is killed due to the negligence of a drunk driver may have legal recourse through a civil claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that come with the sudden loss of a loved one. Sadly, though, it is common for intoxicated drivers to fight hard to deny all liability for a collision. This is why it is so important that all evidence is properly preserved after a collision.
Investigating A Sun Village Car Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the families of Ericka Gonzalez and Esmeralda Rangel. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. This was a highly preventable tragedy that should have never taken place.
Do you need more information about a Los Angeles County DUI accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance after a collision we are here for you. You can contact us anytime at (888) 441-4991. Se habla español.
