3 dead after California car crash

An accident involving multiple vehicles occurred at the intersection of Floral and Elm in Caruthers on August 28. California Highway Patrol stated the chain-reaction crash started when a blue box truck failed to stop at a stop sign. The truck hit a minivan and sent it spinning into a Chevrolet Avalanche. The Avalanche then crashed into a Nissan Cube. The series of impacts left a considerable amount of debris in the road.

A man who witnessed the accident rushed to assist the four people in the minivan. Three of its occupants were killed almost instantly. A fourth person in that vehicle was ejected from it, and the witness rendered aid to him until paramedics arrived. Three people in the Cube suffered minor injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital. The condition of the driver of the Avalanche was not known by CHP because that individual ran away from the accident site before police arrived.

No charges were had been filed against the box truck's driver on the day of the accident. However, manslaughter charges could result from CHP's investigation.

In California, a personal injury attorney may be able to help the family of a fatal auto accident victim receive compensation for their financial losses and emotional suffering. With respect to the former, plaintiffs of successful wrongful death suit can be awarded damages for any medical bills incurred by decedents before they passed as well as funeral expenses and the loss of victims' incomes. Plaintiffs' emotional suffering and the pain experienced by victims before their deaths are examples of circumstances for which non-economic damages can be awarded.

Source: KFSN, "Triple fatal crash near the Fresno County town of Caruthers ", Rick Montanez, August 28, 2014