Accident on Clairemont Drive near Dakota Drive claims life of 72-year-old man, authorities say
SAN DIEGO, CA, (October 02, 2024) - An elderly man was fatally struck by a vehicle in the Bay Park neighborhood of San Diego Wednesday night, authorities said. The Medical Examiner's Office identified the man as Raymundo Ortiz Sanchez.
Raymundo Ortiz Sanchez, 72, was fatally injured after being hit by a vehicle on Clairemont Drive in the Bay Park neighborhood of San Diego Wednesday night, according to authorities.
The tragedy unfolded around 7:25 p.m. in a crosswalk along Clairemont Drive near Dakota Drive.
According to a preliminary investigation, 72-year-old San Diego resident Sanchez was crossing Clairemont when he was hit by a Volvo SUV driving through the intersection. The 76-year-old female driver of the SUV remained at the scene and called law enforcement officials. Despite life-saving measures, Sanchez did not survive.
Impairment does not appear to be a factor in the crash, authorities said.
The investigation is ongoing.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
This tragic accident underscores the dangers that pedestrians face every day in this country.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (COTS), in 2018, around 893 pedestrians were killed on California roadways, a 26% increase from 2014.
“In most instances, pedestrians possess the right of way when crossing an intersection or a street regardless of if they are in a marked crosswalk,” said Candice Bond, an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.
Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal, noted that it’s imperative to have an independent probe conducted by a seasoned lawyer to help protect the rights of the victim’s family in cases such as this.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Bond, a national legal analyst for Newsline. The family of Raymundo Ortiz Sanchez may be entitled to a wrongful death claim.
“Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of income and companionship, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.”
“Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth,” Bond noted. “However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
Newsline's national legal analyst Candice Bond is experienced in fatal pedestrian accidents, and if you or a family member need help she's available for a free consultation to guide you
(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).