Deadly wreck happened along on Kearney Boulevard near Garfield Avenue, CHP says
FRESNO, CA, (September 13, 2024) - Three people tragically lost their lives when a speeding driver crashed his vehicle into a tree early Friday morning in Fresno County, the coroner's office said.
Syrus Suniga and Joey Suniga Jr. were among three people killed in a one-vehicle wreck early Friday along Kearney Boulevard in Fresno County, according to a news release.
Two victims—both passengers—have been identified as Syrus Suniga, 21, and Joey Suniga Jr., 27. Both lived in Kerman.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a 25-year-old man was traveling at a high rate of speed in a Honda sedan on Kearney Boulevard toward Garfield Avenue. At about 3 a.m., the driver reportedly made an unsafe turn and veered into the westbound lane. The Honda then ran off the roadway, slammed into a palm tree, and caught fire.
Sunigas and the driver suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene, officials said.
This is an ongoing investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), there were 33,654 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2018, in which 36,560 deaths occurred. This resulted in 11.2 deaths per 100,000 people and 1.13 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined,” said Candice Bond, an experienced attorney and Managing Partner with Bond Legal.
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said Bond.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of the Sunigas could pursue 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.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel at 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.”
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(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).