(Wilmington, CA) On Wednesday, At approximately 2:09 a.m., a tractor-trailer strikes a woman and dog at the intersection of the Pacific Coast Highway and Alameda Street after a domestic dispute.
Police say the woman had some altercation with a man before getting struck by a vehicle. It is unclear whether she was pushed out of the vehicle or fell out before tragically getting hit.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson, paramedics made one ambulance transport involving a Toyota Prius. Officers notified animal control regarding an injured dog.
The woman and dog did not survive the fatal collision and It is unclear if she was the dog’s owner. A witness of the scene mentioned that police took a man into custody.
The LAPD is investigating this case as a homicide.
Legal Perspective on the Pacific Coast Highway Accident
Based on the given information, authorities are unsure who caused the accident and if any factor played a role in the accident. If the police suspect the driver did not yield to the woman, the driver may be in violation of California Vehicle Code 21950. This law requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing a roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
If the driver fled the scene, then investigators may review California Vehicle Code 20001. This law code states that if one is involved in a vehicle crash resulting in a fatal death or serious/permanent injury, they would be imprisoned in a state prison for two to four years, or in a county jail for 90 days to one year, fined $1,000 to $10,000 or by both imprisonment and a fine.
Given the accident resulting in the death of the woman and the dog, it is possible that the driver was speeding greater than reasonable resulting in fatal injuries. Speed can play a factor in how serious an injury can be. High speed may cause critical injuries that a person may not circumvent from. If that’s the case, investigators may review California Vehicle Code 22350 to which it prohibits drivers from speeding more than reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed that endangers the safety of persons or property.
In this case, the driver may face serious punishments under California Penal Code 193. If he voluntarily struck the woman and dog, he would be imprisonment in a state prison from 3 to 11 years.
Advice to the Victim’s Family
If you were a loved one of the female pedestrian, it is important to receive emotional support from family and friends or even receive counseling. If you want to receive more information in regard to the collision, you can contact the Los Angeles Police Department for any additional questions you may have. Speaking with a legal expert in pedestrian accidents can help you with your legal process and any concerns you may have.
Have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this incident? call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
