Nevada County, CA – According to CBS13, an 82-year-old man lost his life following a collision with a pickup truck on Wednesday afternoon, April 17, 2024, on Highway 20 near the west side of Penn Valley Drive.
California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers reported that a 17-year-old female driver of a 1995 Dodge Ram was traveling west on the highway and slowed down for an animal on the road near Chances R Road. The elderly man, driving a 2000 Toyota Corolla, attempted to slow down as well but ended up crashing into the rear of the Ram.
Although he was rushed to Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, the Toyota driver, identified as being from Smartsville, succumbed to his injuries about 30 minutes after the collision. Fortunately, the 17-year-old driver escaped the crash without injuries.
While there is currently no suspicion of driving under the influence in this incident, CHP officers have emphasized that the crash remains under investigation.
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.
