Los Angeles, CA (April 7, 2024) – In a harrowing incident early Sunday morning, a wrong-way crash on the Santa Monica (10) Freeway led to the death of 19-year-old Jefferson Coreas-Lazo and caused significant injuries to three others. The California Highway Patrol reports that the collision, involving a 2024 Tesla and a 2016 Toyota, occurred at approximately 1:50 a.m. near Overland Avenue in the Palms community of Los Angeles.
Incident Overview: The fatal sequence unfolded when a 51-year-old woman from Los Angeles, driving the Tesla, entered the westbound lanes of the freeway heading eastbound, resulting in a head-on collision with the Toyota driven by Coreas-Lazo. The young man was tragically pronounced dead at the scene, trapped within the mangled wreckage of his vehicle.
In addition to Coreas-Lazo, two teenage passengers in the Toyota, a 13-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl from Maywood, sustained major injuries and were rushed to the hospital for urgent care. The Tesla driver also suffered major injuries in the crash and was taken into custody, facing charges for driving the wrong way.
A third vehicle, a 2020 Infiniti, encountered minor damage from debris scattered across the roadway, though the 19-year-old driver was able to depart the scene.
Ongoing Investigation: The California Highway Patrol’s West Los Angeles office has taken the lead, appealing to the public for any information regarding the circumstances leading to this devastating crash. Authorities worked through the early morning to clear the scene, with a Sigalert that had closed all westbound lanes being lifted several hours later.
Legal Analysis: Liability and Wrongful Death Considerations
This tragic event underscores the grave dangers posed by wrong-way driving on freeways, emphasizing drivers’ legal and moral responsibilities to maintain vigilance and adhere to road signage. The investigation will play a critical role in understanding the factors contributing to the collision, potentially influencing the legal proceedings that may follow.
Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Claims: The family of Jefferson Coreas-Lazo, along with the injured parties, may consider pursuing wrongful death and personal injury claims, respectively. The wrongful death claim could seek compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of future earnings, and pain and suffering. Because the passengers were minors, the court would need to approve any settlement through a minor’s compromise hearing.
As the community mourns the loss of a young life and hopes for the recovery of the injured, the urgent need for preventative actions and public awareness becomes ever more apparent. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Jefferson Coreas-Lazo during this immensely difficult time, as well as with all those affected by this tragic event.
News Source: Patch