Felicita Flores, 56, Died In Carlsbad Collision With Chevrolet Work Truck Near Melrose Drive and South Santa Fe Road
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA (April 20, 2022) – A woman identified as Felicita Flores has tragically died in Carlsbad car accident near the intersection of Melrose Drive and South Santa Fe Road.
San Diego County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 5:00 a.m. on April 14. Felicita Vazquez Flores was attempting to cross the road when she was hit by a Chevrolet work truck.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Felicita Flores was transported to the Palomar Medical Center in Escondido with major injuries.
Despite life-saving measures, she died due to the severity of her injuries. Carlsbad Police interviewed the 40-year-old driver of the work truck who remained at the scene.
Numerous witnesses to the crash were also interviewed. A full investigation into the death of Felicita Flores remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Carlsbad Pedestrian Accidents
San Diego County has one of the highest incidents of pedestrian collisions in all of California. This is true despite the fact that officials in San Diego county have implemented ‘Vision Zero‘ – a program which aims to cut the number of pedestrian accidents. In 2020 alone, 61 pedestrians died in San Diego. There are a number of factors that could potentially contribute to a pedestrian accident.
- Drivers may be operating their vehicle too quickly for the prevailing conditions.
- Drivers may fail to check their blind spots before making turns.
- Drivers may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians. According to California Vehicle Code 21950, “The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the vehicle or take any other action relating to the operation of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.” Even if a pedestrian is outside of a marked crosswalk, drivers must use caution to avoid hitting them.
If the driver that hit a pedestrian was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. Pick up trucks are often used for commercial purposes in landscaping or construction. In general, companies are liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. An act will typically be within the scope of a worker’s employment if (a) it is reasonably related to the tasks they were employed for or (b) it is reasonably foreseeable in light of the employer’s business.
A city or county could potentially be liable for a pedestrian accident. Municipal entities are responsible for maintaining their roadways in a reasonably safe condition. Pursuant to California Government Code 835, a public entity could be liable for a dangerous condition with a roadway – insofar as they had actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with the roadway. There are many ways that a roadway or intersection could potentially be in a dangerous condition.
- A roadway may not have signs or traffic control devices to regulate the flow of traffic.
- A roadway may have an obstructed line of sight from trees, plants or a building.
- A roadway may have potholes or other defects that cause drivers to lose control.
The family of any victim that died in a pedestrian accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. If the victim survived for some period before succumbing to their injuries, their family may also be able to pursue a survival action claim. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Carlsbad Pedestrian Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Felicita Vazquez Flores. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim’s family. San Diego County officials should inspect this intersection to determine if there are any steps that can be taken to make it safer.
Do you need more information about a Carlsbad 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 negligent drivers are held to account for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
