A 52-year-old Sacramento woman died early Tuesday morning when the car she was riding in was struck fron behind on Highway 50. According to the Sacramento Bee, the victim, Luther Jean Harris, 52, of Sacramento, was a front seat passenger in a car driven by Rodney Glass, 37, of West Sacramento.
The 1998 Chevrolet Camaro driven by Glass ran out of gas at about 12:40 a.m. and came to stop in westbound lane four, a transition lane to southbound Interstate 5. According to the CHP, Glass's vehicle had its emergency lights flashing when it was rear-ended by a westbound Chevrolet El Camino driven by Jay Stebley, 55, of Sacramento.
The Sacramento Bee reported that Stebley looked over his shoulder to view traffic and did not see the Camaro stopped in the lane until it was too late to avoid the rear-end collision. Both Rodney Glass and Jay Stebley were taken to UC Davis Medical Center with moderate injuries. Harris, who was not wearing her seat belt when the disabled vehicle was rear-ended, died at the scene of the crash.
Who was at fault?
Accidents involving disabled cars being struck on highways have unique legal issues. Although the California Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of this rear-end collision, if newspaper reports are accurate, the driver of the Camaro is likely at least partially, if not wholly responsible for this devastating accident.
Liability for Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
While the CHP is investigating the cause of this May 25th U.S. Route 50 accident, the family of the victim tragically killed in this crash and the family of the driver of the Camaro would be well-advised to speak with an experienced California personal injury attorney about this accident. An attorney can oversee the official investigation and assist the families in getting answers as to what exactly happened. Additionally, an attorney can help the families understand and protect their legal rights, and recover the monetary compensation they may be entitled to in a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
Sources: Sacramento Bee, CBS 13 News, KCRA News
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