Grass Valley, CA – According to The Sacramento Bee, early Saturday morning, May 11, 2024, a fatal crash near State Highway 20 and the South Ponderosa overcrossing resulted in the loss of a 35-year-old woman’s life, while the 35-year-old driver, identified as Josiah Moncrieff of Grass Valley, sustained severe injuries.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the crash occurred around 2:45 AM while Moncrieff and his passenger were engaged in a DoorDash delivery. The CHP’s preliminary investigation indicates that Moncrieff fell asleep at the wheel, leading their vehicle to veer off the north side of the highway and collide with a cluster of trees.
Medical responders, including the Penn Valley Fire Department, swiftly arrived at the scene. Unfortunately, the female passenger succumbed to her injuries on-site, while Moncrieff was airlifted to Sutter Roseville Medical Center for treatment of his critical condition.
Authorities have ruled out the influence of drugs or alcohol as contributing factors to the crash.
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 their 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.