Gilroy, CA — A young woman identified as the 23-year-old Maximina Solano-Sabino of Gilroy, lost her life early Thursday morning, August 22, 2024, after being struck by a vehicle on Nashua Road in Monterey County, according to KSBW.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the incident occurred just after 6 AM near the intersection of Nashua Road and Monte Road, a rural area characterized by limited lighting and visibility.
According to CHP, Solano-Sabino was attempting to cross Nashua Road from the south shoulder when she was hit by a westbound GMC Suburban carrying two residents of Salinas, resulting in the fatal collision.
Emergency responders arrived promptly but, sadly, Solano-Sabino was pronounced dead at the scene. The two occupants of the Suburban were not injured and remained at the site, fully cooperating with authorities as the investigation unfolded.
CHP officials noted that alcohol and drugs do not appear to have played a role in the incident. The weather at the time was described as cloudy and dark, though it is unclear if these conditions contributed to the accident.
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.
