San Francisco, CA: Homeless Man Struck, Killed by Alleged Drunk Driver on 5th Street
Homeless Man Dies in San Francisco Pedestrian Accident on 5th Street Off-Ramp from Interstate Highway 80; Jaime Juarez Arrested
San Francisco, California (June 16, 2019) – A sleeping homeless man was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver early Sunday morning in San Francisco’s South of Market neighbourhood, the California Highway Patrol reported.
The tragic accident occurred at about 1:10 a.m. on the Fifth Street off-ramp from westbound Interstate Highway 80.
According to the CHP, Jaime Juarez, 27, was driving on the off-ramp when he allowed his Toyota SUV to veer off the roadway and into a dirt embankment where the victim was sleeping.
Paramedics responded to the scene and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the homeless man. Despite lifesaving measures, the man was pronounced at the scene.
Juarez sustained minor injuries and was transported to San Francisco General Hospital. He was later arrested and booked into San Francisco County Jail on suspicion of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter.
The crash remains under investigation.
Our sincere sympathies go to the family and friends of the person killed in the crash. We wish them courage during these trying moments of losing their loved one.
Every year, several traffic accidents are reported in California. Unfortunately, these accidents result in many fatalities and even more injuries. The causes of many of these traffic accidents include distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, reckless driving, bad weather, wrong-way driving and failure to observe traffic laws. It is evident that negligence on the part of motorists is the leading cause of these accidents.
From the report above, the circumstances surrounding the traffic collision remain unclear. However, the authorities will gather information including witness statements to determine the cause of the accident.
The law requires drivers to slow down and give the right of way to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.
Investigators will inspect the vehicle involved for mechanical issues or system failure and analyze photographs of the site of the crash. They will also determine if the driver was intoxicated as at the time of the accident.
The final results of the case will determine if a family member may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit and receive compensation.
We at Pacific Attorney Group will work with you to protect your rights and assist you on your recovery.
If you are the victim or a family member and you would like a free copy of the police report, contact Pacific Attorney Group. Please Click to call : 1-800-358-9617
What You Need to Know about Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are always the most vulnerable segment of traffic. Data collected by The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) indicates that about 5000 pedestrians are killed in accidents and over 70000 injured annually. Although motorists shoulder most of the blame for these types of accidents, pedestrians are sometimes liable for these accidents.
In the event of an auto-pedestrian accident, parties are encouraged to note down as much information as possible about the accident. It is also a good idea to take pictures of the scene incident. Witness statements and police reports are also very important and should be collected promptly. The injured party can then approach a qualified personal injury attorney who will help them evaluate and pursue a claim. The injured pedestrian may recover damages including past and future wage loss, pain and suffering and all past and future medical expenses. If a pedestrian is killed in the collision, their families can pursue full compensation for their economic losses resulting from the death.
