Gabriel Garate Died In Long Beach Car Accident With Pickup Truck by the Intersection of 23rd Street and Lakewood Boulevard
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA (July 29, 2022) – A 7-year-old boy identified as Gabriel Garate died in a car accident while crossing 23rd Street and Lakewood Boulevard with his father.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the accident took place around 5:22 p.m. on Tuesday. Gabriel Garate was crossing the street with his father when the driver of a pickup truck failed to yield to them.
The force of the impact knocked the 7-year-old child to the ground leaving him with serious injuries. Despite life-saving measures from first responders, Gabriel Garate died as a result of his injuries.
Police arrested the driver of the pickup truck on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter. Neighbors said that it is common to see car accidents at the intersection.
A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Long Beach Car Accidents
Los Angeles County has one of the highest instances of pedestrian collisions in all of California. According to the LA Times, “The city’s streets are increasingly dangerous for pedestrians in particular, with 486 being severely injured by motorists — a 35% increase over 2020. Pedestrian deaths rose 6% to 128.” Accidents are more likely to happen at night and during periods of reduced visibility. There are many steps that drivers should take in order to avoid hitting pedestrians.
- All drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
- All drivers should scan the road ahead of them for hazards.
- All drivers should slow down in areas with heavy pedestrian
The vast majority of pedestrian accidents are preventable and involve some amount of human error. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21950, the driver of any motor vehicle must yield the right of way to all pedestrians crossing in a lawfully marked crosswalk. If the driver of a motor vehicle goes past a yield sign without yielding, this may be considered prima facie evidence of their failure to yield.
Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a collision could extend beyond an at fault driver. If the driver of a pickup truck was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the wrongful acts 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 any collision.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
The family of any victim that died in a car accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a wrongful death claim can help cover many of the unexpected expenses that can come with the sudden loss of a loved one. Unfortunately, negligent drivers will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility for a crash. This is why it is so important that evidence is properly preserved and protected after a crash.
Investigating A Long Beach Car Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Gabriel Garate. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for this preventable tragedy that should have never taken place.
Do you need more information about a Long Beach car accident? Our team of pedestrian 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 a free, independent investigation into any collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
