Lompoc, CA – KEYT and Noozhawk report that on Monday, March 13, 2024, the Lompoc Police Department took into custody 23-year-old Gezel Viveros on suspicion of involvement in the hit-and-run crash that killed 23-year-old Daniel Arias Cortez.
Authorities report that around 7:30 PM on February 10, 2024, they received reports of a pedestrian collision in Beattie Park at 1102 E. Olive Avenue. Cortez was transported to Marian Regional Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Pedestrian Fatalities and Wrongful Death Claims
Motorists are required to exercise an additional “duty of care” towards pedestrians due to their heightened vulnerability in car accidents, which more often result in pedestrian fatalities.
In cases where a driver is found responsible for a pedestrian fatality, the victim’s family may have grounds to initiate a wrongful death claim through the driver’s insurance provider. Compensation from a wrongful death claim can help cover medical costs, burial expenses, and the financial support lost by dependents of the deceased.
Should the driver escape justice, compensation may be available from a family member’s uninsured driver coverage. Consulting with a personal injury attorney can help determine what the best options are.