Bakersfield Teenager Killed In Highway 126 Head-on Collision
VENTURA COUNTY - A 15-year-old Bakersfield girl very tragically died Sunday night in a head-on collision on Highway 126 between Santa Paula and Fillmore, the Ventura County Star reported today. The victim, identified by the Ventura County Medical Examiner as Maria Puentes, 15, was a passenger in a vehicle driven eastbound on Highway 126, near Toland Road. For reasons still under investigation, the vehicle Puentes was riding in drifted into westbound traffic, directly into the path of an oncoming truck.
The impact of the head-on collision caused the vehicle to spin out of control into westbound traffic and the truck to spin into eastbound lanes. The 17-year-old boy driving the vehicle and the driver of the truck, a 53-year-old Bakersfield man, were taken to Ventura County Medical Center. Puentes died at the scene of the head-on collision, which occurred at about 7:05 p.m. on Sunday, September 11, 2011.
Cause of the Fatal Crash
As a passenger, Puentes likely could have done nothing to prevent this fatal head-on collision that ultimately took her life. Based on the limited facts provided by the Ventura County Star, it is impossible to know exactly what happened here and why this fatal crash happened. The CHP will surely look at the speed of both vehicles, witness reports, and other factors to determine what occurred and who was responsible. Head-on collisions such as this one can have countless causes, including unsafe passing maneuvers, swerving to avoid an object in the road, falling asleep at the wheel, driving under the influence, or driver distraction.
Car Accident Wrongful Death Liability
Losing a loved one in a fatal head-on collision is tragic and devastating. Accidents such as this one raise a number of questions regarding why the accident occurred, who was responsible, and what can be done to prevent fatal collisions like this one in the future. While the cause of this accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, the family members of the young victim would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Ventura wrongful death attorney. Whether the accident was caused by a dangerous road condition, a defect in the vehicle, or the negligence of one of the drivers involved in this collision, an attorney can help the victim's family understand and protect their legal rights to hold accountable whoever is responsible for their loss.
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