Many California families like to go for a walk together in the evening. However, accidents can happen, especially when people are crossing busy roadways. Sadly, a Hemet couple out for a walk became victims of a hit-and-run crash in Huntington Beach when a driver ran a red light and struck them, killing one and critically injuring the other. The driver believed responsible now faces serious criminal charges.
Vehicle hits couple at crosswalk
A Huntington Beach Police Department news release states that the horrific crash happened on a recent Sunday evening. A vehicle headed north on the Pacific Coast Highway struck the victims after running through a red light. According to the police report, the man and woman were in a crosswalk and had the right of way.
Driver flees scene
Reportedly, the 48-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the crash site. The 50-year-old man, her husband, was taken to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries. According to a GoFundMe page, the victims had been out for a walk with their family when the crash happened. Authorities have said the driver responsible for the incident initially fled from the scene, then she and her passenger abandoned the vehicle and got into a different vehicle, which was then driven away; later that evening, investigators located the suspect. The 26-year-old woman from Victorville has since been booked on suspicion of hit-and-run resulting in death or injury and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, among other offenses.
Unfortunately, even when pedestrians obey all the rules of the road, tragic incidents like this one can happen, and drivers who leave the scene are not only acting unlawfully, they are also creating a worse outcome for themselves and sometimes for victims as well. In this case, undoubtedly, the victims’ surviving family is grieving the sudden loss of their loved one. As well, the injured victim has and likely continues to endure both physical and emotional distress and may very well continue to suffer the effects of the crash for some time to come. Aside from criminal charges, the driver responsible may also be looking at a personal injury and/or wrongful death lawsuit within the California civil justice system.