Hesperia, CA (December 18, 2024) – On Wednesday, a crash at the intersection of Cottonwood Avenue and El Centro Street in Hesperia claimed the life of 29-year-old Scarlett Medel.
Accident Details: According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Medel was driving a 2004 Honda Accord east on El Centro Street and stopped at a stop sign before proceeding into the intersection. A 62-year-old man driving a Mazda south on Cottonwood Avenue collided with Medel’s vehicle, striking its driver’s side in a broadside crash. Cottonwood Avenue does not have stop signs at this intersection. Medel was transported to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Legal Considerations: As a personal injury attorney, I find that several aspects of this case warrant further examination.
- Right-of-Way and Traffic Controls: Investigators will assess whether Medel failed to yield to the Mazda.
- Visibility and Intersection Design: Investigators may also examine whether the intersection’s design or visibility contributed to the collision. Obstructed views or inadequate signage could have played a role. If road conditions such as poor signage or pavement markings are found to have contributed, the municipality responsible for maintaining the intersection could be held partially liable.
- Driver Behavior: Both drivers’ actions will be scrutinized to determine whether distraction, speed, or other behavior contributed to the crash.
If the investigation reveals another’s negligence as the cause of the accident, Medel’s family may pursue a wrongful death claim against him. California’s comparative negligence laws allow parties to recover damages even if they are partially at fault. If Medel is found partially responsible for the collision, her family may still recover damages, but the amount would be reduced proportionally to her percentage of fault.
I extend my deepest condolences to Scarlett Medel’s family during this incredibly difficult time.
Source: Victorville Daily Press