Fresno, CA (November 9, 2024) – On the evening of Saturday, November 9, 2024, 60-year-old Wendy Lee Coffman, an unhoused woman from Fresno, was fatally struck in a hit-and-run accident while crossing Clovis Avenue near Inyo Street in her wheelchair.
Accident Details: A white pickup truck fleeing the scene was reported traveling northbound by a 911 caller. Coffman, who was not in a designated pedestrian area at the time of the incident, was transported to a local hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The Fresno Police Department is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Legal Considerations: As a personal injury attorney, I find that several aspects of this case warrant further examination. This tragic incident raises several legal issues, particularly regarding the driver’s failure to remain at the scene. In California, leaving the scene of an accident that results in injury or death is a serious offense. If apprehended, the driver could face severe criminal charges. Her family may also be able to file a wrongful death claim and recover compensation for their loss.
Although Coffman was crossing outside the crosswalk, the law still requires drivers to exercise reasonable care to avoid endangering pedestrians. Her family may still be able to recover compensation based on California’s comparative negligence laws.
Coffman’s family is devastated by her loss. Her seven children describe her as a person deserving of honor and remembrance. Her children have set up a GoFundMe page to help with final expenses. Please contribute if you can. I offer my sincerest condolences to Wendy’s loved ones during this challenging time.
Source: Your Central Valley