Bakersfield, CA (November 17, 2024) – In the early hours of Sunday, November 17, 2024, 50-year-old Irma Pacheco Matias of Madera was fatally struck by a vehicle on northbound Highway 99, south of Houghton Road.
Accident Details: The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that Matias and a 46-year-old man were crossing the highway when a gray Ford compact vehicle struck them. The driver fled the scene before officers arrived. According to the Kern County Coroner’s Office, Matias died at the scene due to her injuries. The male pedestrian sustained significant injuries and was transported to Kern Medical for treatment. The investigation is ongoing, and CHP seeks information about the driver and vehicle involved.
Legal Considerations: As a personal injury attorney, I find that several aspects of this case warrant further examination. This case raises significant questions about the driver’s responsibility and decision to flee the scene after striking two pedestrians. California law imposes severe penalties for hit-and-run drivers, especially when the incident results in injury or death. Investigators will likely focus on identifying the fleeing vehicle and driver through physical evidence, witness statements, or nearby surveillance footage.
The family of Irma Pacheco Matias may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim, potentially holding the driver accountable for negligence and fleeing the scene. Such claims could cover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional impact on loved ones. The injured pedestrian could also have a personal injury claim for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
I offer my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Irma Pacheco Matias during this heartbreaking time. We also wish the injured pedestrian a full and swift recovery.
Source: AOL