Some people find their lives changed in a split second simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Often, these types of unexpected tragedies happen to people traveling in motorized vehicles, whether in California or elsewhere. Certainly, drivers and passengers inside a vehicle, of any size and type, are in a vulnerable position since so many things can go wrong. However, most people rely on a vehicle to get them where they need to go and hope they never become involved in a collision. Unfortunately, recently, a senior became a victim in an incident at an intersection near Strathmore and suffered major injuries that may significantly affect her remaining years.
The three-vehicle crash happened on a Monday afternoon. According to California Highway Patrol investigators, a westbound vehicle approached the busy intersection as the traffic light was red. Rather than stopping, for as yet unknown reasons, the 65-year-old driver, a woman from Porterville, continued through the intersection against the light. In doing so, she T-boned another vehicle traveling northbound through the intersection on a green light.
The impact from the collision caused the second vehicle to collide with a third, southbound vehicle that was sitting in the left-turn lane where the driver was waiting for the red light to change to green. A 73-year-old woman who was a passenger in the car that was T-boned suffered major injuries and was taken by ambulance to a medical center. The driver of that car was taken to the same medical center for treatment of minor injuries. CHP investigators are still trying to piece together what happened.
Police are not yet sure why the driver who caused this crash ran through the red light. Many different factors can lead to such an action, but most often this type of event results from driver distraction. If investigators find evidence to indicate distraction or another form of negligent and/or reckless behavior contributed to the incident, the seriously injured victim may consider pursuing the matter further. She may be facing physical and emotional distress and unexpected lifestyle changes, as well as medical expenses and other monetary losses. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney could explain her options within the California civil justice system.