One Sunday In February, Three People Lose Their Lives In Three Separate Crashes

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 by The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman

It was another night in the middle of February—a pedestrian, a cyclist, and a motorcyclist all lost their lives in separate motor-vehicle crashes. As the night gave way to Valentine’s morning, the streets of Oxnard, Ventura, and Camarillo were awash with sirens and the flashing lights of first responders.

It takes less than a second. A distracted or negligent driver loses control or drifts off the road, and lives change forever. Catastrophic injuries occur. Families and communities are left grieving. When tragedy happens, let the Ventura County pedestrian accident attorneys at The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman helps you through it.

The Pedestrian

It was a couple of ticks from 8 p.m. A man walked along Harbor Boulevard, just south of Spinnaker Drive. A car collided with him, throwing him into the street. While Ventura Police rushed to the accident, the pedestrian was hit by a second car.

Investigators did not believe the first driver was using drugs or alcohol. The second driver fled the scene before police arrived. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reports this man is only one story among the approximated national average of 7,000 pedestrians who die every year.

The Cyclist

Just after 10 p.m., just east of Oxnard Boulevard, the Oxnard Police Department responded to an accident along Wooley Road, involving a cyclist and a 2018 Honda Civic.

The Ventura Police Department say the Honda’s driver sped eastbound when the Honda veered onto the shoulder of the road, striking a man riding a blue bicycle.

The cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The Honda’s driver, a 27-year-old Oxnard man, was uninjured. Officers conducted a DUI investigation and arrested the driver on the suspicion of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter. His bail was set at $50,000.

According to data from the California Office of Traffic Safety, more than 1,600 total cyclists died in California, between 2007 and 2019. Yearly, an average of 129 people die in bicycle-related accidents with 133 deaths in 2019.

According to the FHWA, this same time span saw approximately 10,000 total fatalities in bicycle-related crashes across the U.S. An average of 751 Americans die each year.

The Motorcyclist

Before the pedestrian and the cyclist were hit, a 33-year-old motorcyclist was found around 7 a.m. He was down an embankment off South Lewis Road in Camarillo.

Investigators with the California Highway Patrol estimated the male victim crashed between midnight and 2 a.m. and died from his injuries. No other vehicles appeared to be involved in the crash.

When should I contact a lawyer?

A sudden loss of a loved one in a pedestrian or bicycle accident is not only a trying time for a family, but it can also involve negotiations with insurance companies and litigation with the at-fault parties. The challenges and emotional drain may seem never-ending.

The Ventura County pedestrian and bicycle accident attorneys at The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman is here for you during this tough time. We will investigate and hold the responsible party accountable, fighting to ensure you receive fair compensation.

Contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 805-983-2344.