Many California drivers, at one time or another, have experienced car trouble while on the road, whether from a mechanical problem or following a mishap of some other sort. Often, people in this type of situation must pull over to assess their vehicle before either continuing on their way or calling for help. However, people who step outside their vehicle on the side of a roadway, especially on a busy highway, put themselves at some risk of being struck by moving vehicles. Unfortunately, such was the case for a man killed in a hit-and-run incident.
Driver pulls over to check vehicle
The fatal crash happened on Highway 41 in Fresno late on a recent Friday evening. According to the California Highway Patrol, a man driving an SUV became involved in a solo crash on the highway. He then pulled over to the side of the roadway to check his vehicle for damage.
Driver hit by passing vehicle
Another vehicle hit the man after he had stepped into the third lane of the highway while checking his SUV to see what damage had been done. The vehicle that hit him then fled. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and a female passenger in the SUV suffered minor injuries from the crash. The CHP is asking anyone with information or who witnessed the incident to contact them.
When police locate the driver and complete their investigation, the evidence may very well indicate the crash happened due to recklessness and/or negligence on his or her part. If that is the case, the victims’ family may consider pursuing the matter further, separate from any criminal charges filed. A conversation with a California personal injury attorney experienced in cases like this would help them understand their options for recourse within the civil justice system.