Santa Maria, CA – A 53-year-old woman, Alma Teresa Alcorta Del Lazaro of Santa Maria, lost her life in a devastating head-on crash on Highway 101 early Sunday morning, September 8, 2024, according to The San Luis Obispo Tribune.
The fatal collision, which also left two others with severe injuries, took place near the on-ramp at Santa Maria Way, leading to the closure of the highway’s southbound lanes for several hours.
Del Lazaro was a passenger in a 1998 Chevy Silverado, traveling along a stretch of Highway 101 lined with businesses and farmlands on the outskirts of Santa Maria. The calm morning ride turned tragic when a 2020 Mazda, driven by a 34-year-old woman, collided with the Silverado. Del Lazaro’s life ended on the scene, despite efforts by emergency responders to save her.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department officials shared that the driver of the Silverado, a 63-year-old man, suffered critical injuries and was rushed to Marian Regional Medical Center after being extricated from the wreckage. The driver of the Mazda also sustained major injuries. While both survivors are in the care of medical professionals, Del Lazaro’s death has left a deep impact on her family and community.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash and has indicated that alcohol may have played a role in the collision.
Wrongful Death Claims
While no amount of money can bring back loved ones lost in a vehicular fatality, the emotional toll of such a loss is often compounded by the financial burden that falls on surviving family members.
Filing a Wrongful Death claim with the insurance provider of those who bear even partial liability can provide compensation to help cover medical expenses, burial costs, and the loss of support for the deceased’s dependents.
Insurance companies have a vested interest in minimizing the payouts for claims. Therefore, the expertise of a skilled personal injury attorney is crucial in securing fair compensation and justice for the deceased.
