Manteca, CA – According to KCRA, late Sunday night, August 4, 2024, a fatal accident occurred on West Yosemite Avenue in front of Kaiser Permanente Manteca Medical Center, resulting in the death of a pedestrian. The Manteca Police Department reported that the driver was impaired by marijuana at the time of the crash.
The incident took place around 10:20 PM when 49-year-old Joseph Capasso of Manteca was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross West Yosemite Avenue. The driver, identified as 38-year-old Blake Joseph Walker, also a Manteca resident, was promptly arrested at the scene.
Walker has been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of drugs. He was booked into San Joaquin County Jail, according to the Manteca Police Department.
The 1700 block of West Yosemite Avenue, near Airport Way, was temporarily closed for the investigation but has since reopened. This stretch of road, which runs between Fishback Road and St. Dominic’s Drive, is a busy thoroughfare that connects residential and commercial areas.
Pedestrian Fatalities and Wrongful Death Claims
Motorists bear an added responsibility, known as the “Duty of Care,” towards pedestrians due to their heightened vulnerability in car accidents, often leading to pedestrian fatalities. Motorists are expected to stay with injured pedestrians to aid in securing help from emergency services and to cooperate with authorities upon their arrival.
For those who have lost a loved one in a vehicular fatality, understanding that a Wrongful Death claim, guided by an experienced personal injury attorney, can provide compensation is crucial. This compensation can alleviate the financial strain of medical bills, burial expenses, and the loss of income for dependents of the deceased.
If the at-fault driver evades legal consequences, compensation might still be accessible through a family member’s uninsured driver coverage. Seeking advice from a personal injury attorney can help ascertain the most suitable options in such circumstances.
