Jacki Wray, 51, was fatally injured in a pedestrian accident in Orange County after a vehicle struck her while she was crossing a street in Los Alamitos. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred near the intersection of Katella Avenue and Reagan Street early morning on December 11, 2012. Police say a gray Toyota Camry hit her.
Wray was transported to an area hospital where she died from her injuries later the same day. The driver of the Toyota remained at the scene and talked to accident investigators. No arrests or citations have been reported. The accident is still under investigation. Officials are asking anyone who witnessed this fatal accident to contact Los Alamitos police at 562-431-2255, extension 426.
I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Jacki Wray and are grieving this terrible loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
OC Pedestrian Accidents
One person died and three were injured in 2010 in the city of Los Alamitos as a result of pedestrian accidents, according to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County as a whole, 32 fatalities and 770 injuries were reported due to pedestrian collisions during the same year.
Rights of Pedestrians
Based on this news report, it appears that the pedestrian was near the intersection when she was struck by the Toyota. It is not clear, however, if she was in the crosswalk at the time. California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.”
Liability Issues
If the motorist is determined to have been at fault, he or she can be held liable for the victim’s wrongful death. If a dangerous intersection or roadway condition caused or contributed to the incident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held responsible. California Government Code 911.2 requires that any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a public entity must be filed within six months of the incident. Victims’ families would be well advised to contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Orange County who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.
