(Banning, CA) An East Ramsey Street accident resulted in the death of Ronald Freyhoff after a hit-and-run driver struck him early Thursday morning in Banning.
On Thursday, September 11, at about 5:30 a.m., the East Ramsey Street accident occurred. According to the Banning Police Department, it happened at the intersection of East Ramsey Street and Val Monte Street.
Officers said a driver traveling along East Ramsey spotted Ronald Freyhoff unconscious in the roadway and called 911. When police arrived minutes later, they confirmed Freyhoff had sustained injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. Paramedics from the Riverside County Fire Department pronounced him dead at the scene.
Later that evening, investigators located a red Cadillac STS with front-end damage in the parking lot of an apartment complex on West Westward Avenue. Officers seized the vehicle under a search warrant and detained two individuals for questioning before releasing them pending further investigation. The East Ramsey Street accident remains under investigation as police work to identify the hit-and-run driver.
Hit and runs are a serious and delicate situation. The state of California takes these cases very seriously. It’s important for all drivers to know what to do in a hit-and-run.
Legal Opinion on the East Ramsey Street Accident
The East Ramsey Street accident represents a serious crime under California law. Since Ronald Freyhoff died and the driver fled, multiple statutes apply. The most direct violation is California Vehicle Code 20001, which makes it a felony to leave the scene of a crash involving injury or death. Drivers must stop, provide aid, and report the incident. The failure to do so exposes the driver to prison time and felony charges.
Because the collision involved a pedestrian, California Vehicle Code 21950 is also important. This law requires drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks and use due care to avoid collisions. Even if the victim was outside a marked crosswalk, drivers still must act cautiously to avoid hitting someone on the roadway. If speed or reckless driving contributed, California Vehicle Code 22350, the Basic Speed Law, may apply. It requires drivers to travel only at speeds safe for conditions. In early-morning darkness, drivers have a heightened duty to drive carefully.
Since Freyhoff died, the family may file a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. This claim allows relatives to seek damages for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering caused by the sudden death.
What the Family of Ronald Freyhoff Can Do
The family should contact a wrongful death attorney immediately. An attorney can work with Banning Police investigators, review the evidence collected from the Cadillac, and ensure the driver is held both criminally and civilly accountable.
Even as the police investigation continues, the family can pursue civil action. A wrongful death claim may provide financial relief for funeral expenses and compensation for the devastating emotional loss. Taking swift legal steps after the East Ramsey Street accident ensures key evidence is preserved and gives the family the best chance at justice and accountability.
We at Accident News Now extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim. We know this is a difficult time as you mourn the tragic and sudden loss of a loved one. If you have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this horrible incident, call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
