Reedley, CA – According to KSEE, the Fresno County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim of a fatal traffic collision as 72-year-old Maria Cruz. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, April 9, 2024, near East Springfield and Justine Avenue at 7:52 PM.
According to authorities from the Reedley Police Department, the collision involved a vehicle driven by a 69-year-old woman and Cruz, who was crossing the street with a walker at the time.
Emergency responders rushed Cruz to a local hospital, but tragically, she succumbed to her injuries. The driver of the vehicle, identified as a 69-year-old woman, is fully cooperating with law enforcement during the ongoing investigation.
Pedestrian Fatalities and 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 those at fault.
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.
Those involved in a pedestrian crash should know that 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.
