Maria Alvarez (Full Name: Maria Cruz Alvarez), Jesus Cruz (Full Name: Jesus Vega Cruz) and Armando Vega Killed In Patterson Car Accident By Elm Avenue and Orange Avenue
STANISLAUS COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (March 9, 2023) – Maria Alvarez, Jesus Cruz and Armando Vega were killed in a Patterson car accident along Elm Avenue.
Stanislaus County officials are saying that the accident took place around 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Maria Alvarez, Jesus Cruz and Armando Vega were in a Dodge SUV when their vehicle was hit by a pickup truck.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victims. Sadly, Maria Alvarez, Jesus Cruz and Armando Vega all died due to their injuries.
Police cited the driver of the pickup truck for failure to yield. A full investigation into the deadly collision remains ongoing.
Liability For Stanislaus County Car Accidents
Many collisions are due to drivers that are not traveling at a safe speed. According to the NHTSA, “For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. In 2020, speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities.” There are many other factors that could contribute to a car accident.
- Distracted driving
- Poor road conditions
- Inclement weather
- Vehicle systems failure
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care to avoid collisions. According to California Vehicle Code 21801, the driver of any vehicle intending to turn left or make a U-turn must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle that is close enough to pose a hazard. If a driver fails to yield the right-of-way to a vehicle prior to a collision, they could be held liable for the collision. Several steps should be taken after any collision.
- Surveillance footage of the crash should be sought.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
The family of any person that is killed in a car accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. Beneficiaries in a civil claim may include a victim’s spouse and dependent children. Sadly, though, drivers will often fight hard to deny liability for any collision. This is why it is so important that all evidence is properly preserved after a crash.
Investigating A Stanislaus County Car Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the families of Maria Alvarez, Jesus Cruz and Armando Vega. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of all who have lost so much.
Do you need more information about a Stanislaus County car accident? Our team of road 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 support after an accident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
