Bakersfield, CA (July 24, 2024) – Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified 23-year-old Andrea Montero as the victim of a July tragic rollover crash on Westside Parkway in Bakersfield.
Accident Details: Officers from the Bakersfield Police Department responded to a call in the area of Mohawk Street and the Westside Parkway around 7:17 a.m. on July 24, 2024, where they discovered an overturned vehicle off the embankment of Mohawk Street. Montero was found in the driver’s seat with significant injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary investigations revealed that Montero had been traveling west on the Mohawk off-ramp at a high rate of speed before crossing Mohawk Street, veering off the embankment, and overturning multiple times.
Legal Considerations: As a personal injury attorney, I find that several aspects of this case warrant further examination. Investigators will focus on why Montero veered off the road. Was it due to the excessive speed? Or were there other factors?
- Defective Roadway Design or Maintenance: If the road conditions or layout were inherently dangerous and contributed to the accident, the entities responsible for designing or maintaining the roadway could be held liable.
- Vehicle Defects: If a mechanical failure, such as brake issues or a tire blowout, contributed to the crash, the manufacturer or a maintenance provider may bear responsibility.
- Negligent Signage or Lighting: Poor visibility, unclear signage, or missing signals at the intersection may warrant scrutiny for possible negligence.
Depending on the investigation’s findings, Montero’s family may be able to bring a wrongful death claim. Pursuing this claim allows them to seek justice and financial compensation for the emotional and financial toll of losing a loved one. Even if Montero is found negligent for speeding, her family could still recover adjusted compensation based on California’s comparative negligence laws if another party was also at fault.
I extend my deepest sympathies to Andrea Montero’s family and friends during this difficult time. Losing a loved one is an unimaginable loss, and my thoughts are with all who are grieving her passing.
Source: Bakersfield Now