Watercraft collision claims life of Highland resident, authorities say
LAKE PERRIS, CA, (December 04, 2024) - A Wednesday afternoon collision in Lake Perris between two Jet Ski personal watercraft riders resulted in the death of a 34-year-old woman, authorities said.
Paulina Guerrero, a 34-year-old woman from Highland, was killed in a crash involving two Jet Ski personal watercrafts Wednesday afternoon in Lake Perris, according to a news release.
The Riverside County Coroner's Bureau identified the victim as Paulina Guerrero of Highland.
According to preliminary reports, the watercraft operated by Guerrero collided with another as they both motored across Lake Perris around 2:15 p.m. Guerrero and the pilot of the second jet ski were both pulled from the water into a nearby boat by a good Samaritan. Tragically, the 34-year-old Highland resident did not survive, officials said.
The second victim, whom officials did not name, reportedly did not seek medical attention.
This is an ongoing investigation.
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
The United States Geological Survey (USGC) recorded 4,040 recreational boating accidents in 2022. These included 2,222 injuries and 636 deaths. The most common contributing factor in fatal accidents was alcohol use. Jet skis were the second most common type of watercraft involved in any accident, after open motorboats.
Candice Bond, an experienced jet ski accident attorney, said in cases such as this, it is imperative to have an independent probe conducted by a seasoned lawyer to better preserve evidence.
“An attorney can collect the proper evidence to help prove negligence, which requires a variety of resources,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
“In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze evidence from the scene and obtain records of a potentially liable party.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of any investigations, the family members of Paulina Guerrero may pursue a wrongful death claim. Survivors of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident such as this.
Bond, a national legal analyst for Newsline, said, “Grieving families of victims are sometimes overwhelmed by the legal processes that are in place to protect their rights. An attorney can be a valuable and compassionate resource to help guide a family during difficult times and ensure that those left behind receive the restitution they are entitled to.”
“No amount of money is enough for a victim or their family to deal with the trauma and pain they experienced after a catastrophic crash. However, an attorney can help ease the financial burden and provide a path forward,” Bond stated.
Have you been in a similar accident and need help? Speak to Newsline's national legal analyst Candice Bond now free of charge for a no-obligation consultation
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. 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).