UPDATE: Jason Phillips, 24, and Chase McCutcheon, 32, Killed in St. Patrick’s Day Tesla Crash on Copper, Willow Ave in Fresno

Fresno, CA – According to KSEE, the Fresno County Coroner’s Office has identified the two men killed when their Tesla crashed into a guardrail in the early hours of Monday, March 16, 2024, after St. Patrick’s Day celebrations as 24-year-old Jason Phillips and 32-year-old Chase McCutcheon.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that the Tesla was speeding west on Copper Avenue toward Willow Avenue near Clovis North High School around 1:45 AM, with Phillips at the wheel, McCutcheon in the passenger seat.

When the Tesla failed to complete a slight right turn in the road, it struck the guardrail and a street sign before overturning and crashing into the opposite guardrail. Phillips and McCutcheon were thrown from the Tesla and pronounced dead at the scene. A third occupant of the Tesla survived the crash and was hospitalized for treatment of their injuries.

Wrongful Death Claims

Establishing fault in a collision can depend on multiple factors. Helping to determine legal liability is one of the ways that a personal injury attorney can help grieving families recovering from the loss of a loved one in a traffic accident.

If it is determined that another driver holds responsibility for their loved one’s death, they may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver. A wrongful death claim can provide compensation to help cover hospital fees, burial costs, and the loss of support for dependents of the deceased.

Passenger Liability

The liability insurance that drivers carry is not just meant to cover accidental harm caused to those outside of the vehicle. A driver is responsible for the safety of those in their vehicle as well. While making a wrongful death or personal injury claim against someone who knew the victim personally may prove emotionally challenging, the financial burdens following a vehicular accident can be hefty.

A good personal injury attorney can help grieving families seek proper compensation for the loss by navigating these tricky issues, as well as negotiating on the victim’s behalf with insurance companies, who routinely work to minimize the payout of any claim they cannot deny.

Injured in an Accident?

Free consultation. Call Now.

Get a Free Police Report

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.