Sutter County, CA – Three people lost their lives and several others were injured in a devastating head-on collision Saturday morning, September 28, 2024, near the intersection of Highway 99 and Highway 113, just southwest of Yuba City, according to The Sacramento Bee.
On Monday, the Sutter County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as:
- 20-year-old Shane Loudermilk of Gridley
- 48-year-old Ricardo Jose Soto Castro of Yuba City
- 43-year-old Juan Diego Soto Castro of Yuba City
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) states that Loudermilk was driving a Dodge Challenger southbound on Highway 99 around 11:40 AM when his vehicle crossed the center median into oncoming traffic.
The Dodge collided head-on with a Nissan Sentra driven by Ricardo Jose Soto Castro. Both he and his passenger, Juan Diego Soto Castro, were pronounced dead at the scene, along with Loudermilk.
Four passengers inside the Dodge suffered injuries as well: a 21-year-old woman, a 16-year-old boy, and two 18-year-old men. Three of them were transported to UC Davis Medical Center for treatment, while one refused medical assistance at the scene.
CHP officials are investigating whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash.
Wrongful Death Claims
Determining fault in an accident can involve many factors. One key way a personal injury attorney can support families after the loss of a loved one is by helping to establish legal responsibility.
If someone else is found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to support the family of the deceased.
Comparative Negligence
California Law upholds the concept of Comparative Negligence, which allows more than one party to share blame in a personal injury accident. Injured victims may have their compensation reduced if they are found partially to blame.
Passenger Liability
Driver liability insurance covers both those outside the vehicle and passengers inside. While it can be emotionally difficult to file a Wrongful Death or injury claim against someone close to the victim, the financial challenges after an accident can be overwhelming.
A skilled personal injury attorney can help families pursue proper compensation for their loss by handling these legal complexities and negotiating with insurance companies, who always try to reduce payouts on claims they cannot deny.
