Fresno, CA – On Friday, May 17, 2024, a fatal hit-and-run occurred in the parking lot outside a Planet Fitness at Manchester Mall, which the Fresno Police Department believes may have been intentional, according to The Fresno Bee. The collision prompted a series of 911 calls just before 10:30 AM, alerting authorities to the collision at the north end of the mall, located at Blackstone and Dakota Avenues.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a man in his 50s lying gravely injured in the parking lot who had allegedly been run over by a woman driving a red vehicle. Emergency services rushed the victim to a local hospital, but despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect fled the scene, heading south on Blackstone Avenue, according to authorities.
The investigation is ongoing, with officers conducting interviews with multiple witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses to piece together the events leading up to the collision. Preliminary information suggests there might have been an argument between the victim and the suspect prior to the incident. However, it remains unclear whether the nature of their relationship was domestic or otherwise.
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. Motorists are expected to stay with injured pedestrians to help secure help from emergency services and cooperate with authorities once they arrive.
Those who lose their loved one to a vehicular fatality should know that a Wrongful Death Claim, made with the help of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney, can provide compensation to address the financial burden of medical bills, burial fees, and the loss of income to support any dependents of the deceased. A Wrongful Death Claim may be filed whether or not criminal charges are involved.
Should the at-fault 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.
