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The horrific accident occurred the night of September 3. A BMW ran a red light on East Santa Clara Street and 10th Street, slamming into a Nissan, killing a passenger, before ricocheting into an Acura that was waiting at the red light. The driver emerged from the BMW and fled on foot.
Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents are hard cases. Even if caught, personal injury lawsuits against negligent parties rely on the assailant’s assets. The San Francisco hit-and-run accident attorneys at Allegiance Law recommend all drivers carry uninsured bodily injury and property damage coverage just in case the worst does happen.
The deceased victim’s name was Ravneel Vilash. The 22-year-old from Hayward was a passenger in the southbound Nissan SUV. He was thrown from the vehicle to the sidewalk when the westbound 2005 BMW sedan crashed into them at the intersection. Vilash died at the scene.
The force of the collision sent the Nissan barreling into a sidewalk barrier and a storefront on the intersection’s southwest corner. The driver of the Nissan and another passenger suffered major injuries and were rushed to the hospital.
The out-of-control BMW then struck a 2012 Acura SUV, facing the opposite direction. The driver of the Acura was not injured in the crash.
The San Jose Police Department (SJPD) is “putting the pieces together,” investigating the accident, and collecting information for a description of the suspect at large.
The others injured in the accident have been listed in stable condition.
The San Jose Department of Transportation has noticed a surge in fatal crashes this year. This latest accident brings the number of vehicle fatalities to 42 so far in 2021. There have also been 12 fatal hit-and-run accidents this year. Only nine fatal accidents were recorded last year.
“This is another heartbreaking fatal crash on our streets,” says Colin Heyne, San Jose’s Public Information Manager.
The intersection of East Santa Clara Street and 10th Street has become notoriously dangerous.
“This is the second crash this year,” said Robin Hunt-Fitzhugh, owner of the Braid It Up salon whose storefront was damaged when the Nissan smashed into the front of the building.
Hunt-Fitzhugh is urging the City of San Jose to install cameras to record all the intersection traffic. She added, “It will hold a lot of people accountable for ignoring the lights.”
The SJPD is seeking the public’s help to identify the BMW driver. When caught, he faces felony charges and possible prison time.
The deepest grief comes from a death that was preventable. Any recourse received after the loss of a loved one feels like too little too late. But the liable parties should still be held to account.
The relatives of the deceased have the legal right to file a wrongful death suit. Compensation in cases like these can serve as a sense of closure and a measure of justice.
The San Francisco hit-and-run attorneys at Allegiance Law will collect the evidence and the important data needed to ensure the maximum settlement. Contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 415-404-6395.
Posted in Car Accident