One Killed, Three Injured, Including Cop in Weekend Accident
A multicar accident including a police cruiser killed one and injured three others late Saturday night in Fontana.
According to investigators, the trouble arose just after 10 p.m. near Juniper Avenue and Orange Way where a Honda Civic was pulling out from a stop sign on Ceres Avenue to Juniper.
As the vehicle was pulling out, a police vehicle engaged its emergency lights and accelerated northbound on Juniper Avenue where it slammed into the Civic. The force of the collision sent the two vehicles sliding into the curb at the nearby intersection.
The collision left three people trapped inside the Honda Civic, pinned beneath a pile of twisted metal and plastic. Rescue crews were forced to use the jaw of life to tear away the roof and pull the victims to safety. All were then take to a nearby hospital.
The driver of the Civic, identified by the county coroner’s office as 62 year old Jose Landaverde, was pronounced dead upon arrival. His mother-in-law was seriously injured and remains in critical condition, and his wife suffered serious bruising.
The officer that caused the crash was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Any information about his identity is a mystery at this point.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is currently looking into the accident to fully understand the circumstances that caused it. Some witnesses on the scene reported that the police car did not have any lights or sirens on, as the police department is reporting.
The presence of sirens and emergency lights can create confusion for drivers. It is always the safe move to stay where you are and let the emergency vehicle pass by before proceeding onto the road. If you find yourself questioning the right of way, or what do to in a particular situation, take the safe bet, and let it pass.
If you or someone you know has been in an accident like this, caused by the confusion of oncoming emergency lights, you need help right away. The Consumers’ Law Group has the training and knowledge required to get you the compensation you deserve. We are a group of professional San Bernardino injury attorneys with more than two decades of experience handling cases just like yours.
We can help you win settlement from all of the liable parties involved so you are able to pay off the expensive bills you may have incurred throughout the ordeal that is your accident. Our injury attorneys do not charge a thing for our services until you case is won. Call us today for your free evaluation!
Reviewed by Chris H. in 2012.