Dad Driving Pregnant Wife to Hospital Killed by Hit and Run Driver
Dad Driving Pregnant Wife to Hospital Killed by Hit and Run Driver
A hit-and-run accident proved fatal for 22-year-old Ricky Sandoval who was driving his pregnant wife to the hospital to give birth to the couple’s third child in Menifee. According to an NBC Los Angeles news report, the baby girl was born soon after he father’s death. Sandoval’s 23-year-old wife, Alyssa, was transported to an area hospital where she delivered the baby.
Tragic Fatal Crash
Riverside County Sheriff’s investigators say the couple’s Lexus was traveling west on Highway 74 early morning on Nov. 12 when it was struck by a Toyota truck going north on Menifee Road. Deputies say the driver of the truck and a passenger ran from the scene of the crash leaving two girls – 15 and 17 – injured inside the truck. The Lexus ended up upside down in a ditch.
Sandoval died from his injuries and his wife was severely injured hanging by her seatbelt until paramedics rushed her to the hospital. Investigators are still attempting to locate the driver and asking anyone with information to come forward. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family during this difficult time.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Sandoval family for their terrible loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Justice for Victims and Their Families
It is a felony crime to leave the scene of an injury or fatal crash under California law. California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.” In addition to stopping and remaining at the scene of the crash, drivers are also required to exchange pertinent information with other parties and most importantly, render aid to those injured.
Injured victims and families that have lost loved ones in a hit-and-run crash bear the brunt of these incidents as they are not just faced with mounting medical expenses and funeral costs, but also the emotional trauma and grief of suddenly losing a family member. Above all, the injustice of it all can prove devastating.
In such cases, injured victims and their families would be well advised to contact an experienced Riverside car accident lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their rights and best interests are protected. A knowledgeable car accident attorney will also be able to advise victims about how the uninsured motorist clause of their own auto insurance policy might be able to compensate them for certain losses, especially in cases where the at-fault driver is not located or identified.
