Fallbrook, CA – 8 Year Old Girl Killed In Pedestrian Accident Identified
Fallbrook, CA (August 6, 2018) – An 8-year-old girl who was killed in a pedestrian accident Friday has been identified. Police say that Cristina Garcia had been walking on Heald Lane, near East Fallbrook Street around 6:30 pm with her aunt and grandmother at the time of the accident.
She was struck by a Toyota RAV4 driven by a 58-year-old Fallbrook resident. The RAV4 driver has been identified only as a woman. The driver told police she was attempting to turn right into a parking lot when the crash occurred. Garcia was hit while walking on a sidewalk. The RAV4 driver remained on scene and cooperated with the police investigation.
Garcia was rushed to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego where she sadly succumbed to her injuries. Police are still investigating the crash.
Southern California Fatal Pedestrian Accidents
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are an all too common site in California. Our state has led the nation in pedestrian deaths over a number of years. In the first half of 2017, California ranked first with 352 pedestrian fatalities. In 2016, Los Angeles County alone experienced 265 fatalities related to pedestrian accidents. Over the previous 10 years, the numbers have continued to rise.
Drivers have an affirmative legal duty to exercise care in order to avoid pedestrian collisions. This means stopping at crosswalks, yielding to pedestrians and driving cautiously on crowded city streets and residential areas. When a driver’s negligence leads to a pedestrian injury, the driver is legally responsible to compensate the pedestrian.
With pedestrian accidents bound to happen, it is important to keep in mind that pedestrians have certain legal rights in the event of a collision. If you or a loved one have been injured in a Los Angeles pedestrian crash, you should speak with a personal injury attorney immediately.
At the Los Angeles Injury Group, our team has experience with Southern California pedestrian injuries. We know how to handle these difficult cases with the care and compassion that they deserve.
To discuss your case with one of our attorneys, call us today at 310-954-7248.
