Debora Burgess (Full Name: Debora Marie Burgess), From Riverside, California Killed In Ellensburg Semi-Truck Accident At The Pilot Truck Stop Parking Lot On 1307 Dolarway
ELLENSBURG, CALIFORNIA (August 19, 2022) – A 65-year-old woman identified as Debora Burgess died in an Ellensburg semi-truck accident at the Pilot Truck Stop parking lot on Dolarway, according to the Daily Record and her obituary.
Kittitas County officials are saying that the collision took place around 7:45 p.m. on August 15. Debora Burgess was in the parking lot of Pilot Truck Stop when she was hit by a semi-truck. The truck driver said that he did not see her prior to the crash.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Debora Burgess was airlifted to the Harborview Medical Center with critical injuries.
Sadly, she died due to the severity of her injuries. Police interviewed the driver of the semi-truck who remained at the scene.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Ellensburg Semi-Truck Accidents
Parking lots can be particularly dangerous for pedestrians. Vehicles can come from any direction and parking lots tend to lack traffic signs. In fact, it has been estimated that nearly one in five car accidents takes place in parking lots. Semi-trucks can be particularly hazardous to pedestrians for a number of reasons.
- Semi-Trucks have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of pedestrians.
- Semi-trucks have a wide turning radius.
- Semi-truck drivers are often asked to work at all times of night and day. It is common for them to be dangerously fatigued.
Truck drivers will typically need to get a commercial driver’s license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Truck drivers must use caution to avoid hitting pedestrians. Pursuant to RCW 46.61.400, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed greater than what is reasonable or safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. If a truck driver fails to reduce their speed to avoid hitting a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
The company that a truck driver worked for could also potentially 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. For example, a truck driver may have been delivering packages when they were involved in a crash. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.
- Surveillance footage of the crash should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- The logbook of the truck driver should be examined.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any person that is killed due to the negligent actions of a truck driver may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the unexpected expenses that can come with the sudden loss of a loved one. Sadly, truck drivers will often fight hard to deny liability for any collision. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating An Ellensburg Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Debora Burgess who died in this accident at Pilot Truck Stop. 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.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured due to the negligent actions of a truck driver? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. 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.
