Modesto, CA – According to the Modesto Bee, on Friday, February 16, 2024, a pedestrian hit-and-run on the Highway 99 off-ramp near Sixth Street killed a 33-year-old woman now identified as Michelle Gonzalez of Hayward.
Officers of the Modesto Police Department arrived at the crash site around 9 PM to find the driver had fled and transported Gonzalez to a nearby hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Witnesses to the crash reported having seen Gonzalez screaming before the crash, and investigations suggested the collision to have been intentional on the driver’s part.
At 3 PM the next day, 32-year-old Ruben Olver, who was in some form of relationship with Gonzalez, surrendered to police custody. He faces charges that include homicide and domestic violence.
Wrongful Death Claims
Even in cases where criminal charges are not brought to bear, families who have lost a loved one in a fatal collision may be able to file a wrongful death claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver. The compensation provided by a wrongful death claim can relieve the financial burdens created by medical expenses, burial costs, and the loss of income to support any dependents of the deceased.
However, insurance companies will work to reduce any claim they cannot deny, which is where the help of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can prove invaluable by negotiating on behalf of victims and their families to ensure they receive proper compensation.
