Deadly incident happened near East Mission Avenue and North Broadway, says police
ESCONDIDO, CA, (September 17, 2024) - A 58-year-old pedestrian lost his life in a hit-and-run collision Tuesday morning while crossing a street in Escondido, according to authorities.
(Miguel Garcia: Facebook)Miguel Garcia, 58, was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver Tuesday morning in Escondido, according to authorities.
Investigators say a 1995 gray Toyota Land Cruiser collided with Miguel Garcia near East Mission Avenue and North Broadway around 6 a.m. Tragically, Garcia, a contractor, died as a result of injuries. The SUV driver fled the scene after the crash, according to officials.
The 58-year-old's loved ones are requesting the public's help in finding the suspect motorist.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help Garcia's family with funeral and other expenses.
The investigation is ongoing.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Failure to remain on the collision site can attract criminal charges, and the victim can also pursue a case against the driver.
Hit-and-run crashes killed around 2049 people in 2016— a 62 percent increase from 2009, the last year in which a downward trend was recorded. AAA said the data makes 2016 the deadliest year since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began compiling statistics on fatal motor vehicle crashes in 1975.
“Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a pedestrian accident case and prove negligence,” said Candice Bond, an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney and a Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
Added Bond, the national analyst for The Legal Advocate, “The driver always has to take great care behind the wheel.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of Miguel Garcia may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident such as this incident.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal.
“A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that the victim's legal rights and best interests are protected.”
If your loved one has been killed by a hit-and-run driver and would like a no-cost consultation, please contact our national legal analysts Candice Bond and Stefano Formica today
(Candice Bond, Managing Partner, and Stefano Formica, Of Counsel, at Bond Legal, are the national legal analysts for Newsline. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).