Accident on Highway 74 claims life of La Quinta local, authorities say
PALM SPRINGS, CA, (October 31, 2024) - A La Quinta resident was killed after his vehicle was struck by a big rig along Highway 74 near Palowet Drive in Palm Desert Thursday morning, authorities said.
Tristin Samuel Bourgeois, a 27-year-old La Quinta man, tragically lost his life following a two-vehicle collision in Palm Desert Thursday morning, authorities said.
The Riverside County Coroner's Bureau identified the deceased as 27-year-old Tristin Samuel Bourgeois.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a semi-truck traveling southbound on the highway around 7:30 a.m. lost control, overturned, and crashed into Bourgeois' Chevrolet Silverado, which was going in the opposite direction. No other person was hurt in the collision, officials said in a report.
Authorities did not release any identifying information about the semi's driver.
This is an ongoing investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Candice Bond, an experienced commercial accident attorney, said that in such cases, it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted promptly to protect the rights of a victim.
"Commercial accidents are often complex, and many factors can play a role in these types of accidents," said Bond, a Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
"A skilled attorney can protect victims from trucking companies, which often send their own investigators to crash sites and possess a variety of resources they can utilize to defend a negligent truck driver."
"Your lawyer can advocate for you by hiring expert witnesses, conducting driver background checks, locating witnesses to the crash, and reviewing applicable insurance coverage, while carefully guiding a victim through the legal process."
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
The family of Tristin Samuel Bourgeois may pursue compensation for damages such as costs associated with the death, loss of income and companionship, and other hardships.
"A death to a family member after an accident is both tragic and devastating to a surviving family. The grief, shock, and anger can be overwhelming," said Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Newsline.
She added, "Aside from the emotional suffering of those left behind, the death of someone close can have devastating financial implications. Loss of income and funeral costs alone can have tragic consequences when a family member is lost."
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).