Woman and Her Dog Killed in Irvine Pedestrian Accident

Angelina Guentcheva, 65, and her dog, were killed in a pedestrian accident in Irvine after a vehicle struck them in the Woodbridge neighborhood. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal crash occurred the night of Feb. 18 in the area of Blue Lake South and Springacre as the woman, he adult son and two dogs were taking a walk in the neighborhood.

Both the woman and her son were transported to an area hospital. While Guentcheva died from her injuries, her son remained hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. One of the dogs died, but the other survived. The driver was not cited or arrested pending an official investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Irvine police at 949-724-7024.

We offer our deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Angelina Guentcheva for their tragic loss. We wish her injured son the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2014 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), three fatalities and 26 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in the city of Irvine. In Orange County as a whole, 47 people died and 764 were injured due to pedestrian accidents during the same year.

What Caused This Fatal Crash?

Based on this news report, it is unclear precisely how or why this collision occurred. There are a number of unanswered questions here. Where were the woman and her son walking when the vehicle struck them? Did a dangerous roadway condition cause or contribute to the incident? Was the roadway well-lit? Was the driver impaired, distracted, inattentive or negligent at the time of the incident? We trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Liability Issues

In such cases, families of deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love, care and companionship. An experienced Irvine personal injury lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options.

If a dangerous roadway or intersection caused or contributed to the incident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a governmental entity must be filed within six months of the incident.