Turlock, CA — A 35-year-old Ceres man identified as Jonathan McKnight lost his life late Wednesday night, August 21, 2024, in a devastating incident on Highway 99, just south of Taylor Road, according to The Modesto Bee.
The accident occurred shortly before midnight, around 11:55 PM, when emergency responders were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, they found McKnight lying in the number three lane of southbound Highway 99. He had been struck multiple times by passing vehicles, according to the CHP.
Preliminary investigations suggest that McKnight was on foot, running westward across the southbound lanes of Highway 99 when he was initially struck by an unknown vehicle. The impact caused him to fall onto the roadway, where he was subsequently hit by additional vehicles. Due to the chaotic nature of the incident and the darkness at that late hour, the exact number of vehicles involved remains unclear, and none have been identified as of Thursday.
The stretch of Highway 99 where the accident occurred is known for its fast-moving traffic, particularly at night when visibility is limited. The area south of Taylor Road is a mix of rural and residential zones, with few pedestrian crossings, making it especially hazardous for anyone on foot.
The CHP is currently investigating McKnight’s death as a hit-and-run, as none of the vehicles involved stopped at the scene. Officers are urging any witnesses or drivers who were in the area at the time to come forward with information that could aid in identifying the vehicles involved.
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.
For those who have lost someone in a vehicular fatality, a Wrongful Death claim, made with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, can provide compensation to alleviate the financial strain of laying their loved one to rest.
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.
Partial Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
California Law does not consider pedestrians to have the right-of-way under all circumstances, such as if they attempt to cross outside of a crosswalk. However, motorists are never relieved of the expectation to provide pedestrians with a Duty of Care toward their safety.
It may therefore be determined that a motorist is held only partially liable in a pedestrian accident. If that is the case, they would be financially responsible for the victim’s recovery costs in proportion to their degree of liability.
California Hit-and-Run Laws
California Law requires drivers involved in a collision to stop their vehicle, notify law enforcement, and exchange insurance information with others involved. Failure to do so, considered to be a “hit-and-run,” is a misdemeanor in cases of property damage and a felony when someone has been injured.
