McAuliff accident in Visalia kills recycling gentleman

May 27, 2011--Last Friday morning's fatal accident in Visalia involved a three-wheeled bicycle and a Chevy Silverado.  The deceased was on his regular recycling route collecting cans and bottles.  The driver of the pick-up was identified as Joseph Fischer of Visalia.  He reportedly told the investigating officers that he did not see the cycist.

The location was just north of Golden West High in Visalia on McAuliff Road.

This case sounds very similar to another case handled by our offices about 10 years ago involving a Hmong gentleman pushing a shopping cart full of recycled cans up an onramp on Highway 198--he also was on his regular route.  In that case we were able to establish a wage claim by contacting the recycling depo he frequented to obtain a wage history.  His family received a sizable settlement although he was walking in an unsafe area.  He also was not seen by the motorist.

Before the car is repaired we should download the air bag black box data to determine its speed.  Our retained engineer can also reconstruct this accident to determine fault.  Please calll us right away if you are a relative or in touch with the family.  Attorney John Rozier  559-713-0159.  I am located right here in Visalia on Caldwell.  http://www.nelsonrozier.com/

Visalia Fatal Car Crash on Mineral King

May 26, 2011--Last Thursday night's fatal collision in Visalia took the life of an 18 year old male named Connor Clark.  It occurred on Mineral King at North Burke Street at about 10 pm.  He was driving a white 2002 Jeep westbound on Mineral King and was hit by a 2008 Prius.

The Toyota driver, Owen Kim of Porterville was not injured, according to early reports. 

Knowing little of the facts of this accident, it would appear that relevant issues include whether either party was speeding, whether seat belts were in use and the availability of liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverages for this claim.  It will also need to be determined if either party was on the job. 

Before the vehicles are repaired or totaled, the air bag black box data can be retrieved to answer many of the these questions.  Please give us a call to get started.  I am located right here in Visalia on Caldwell.  Attorney John Rozier  559-713-0159.  http://www.nelsonrozier.com/

May 25 Tulare County power pole accident

On May 25 Carlos Carrazco was seriously injured in an accident involving a power pole in Tulare County. Reportedly Carrazco, a Woodville resident, hit the pole near the intersection of Avenue 168 and Road 144. The impact of the crash appears to have been very hard. It is unclear why Carrazco drifted off the road as neither drugs or alcohol appear to have been a factor. Carrazco was airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

May 25 fatal motorcycle accident near Parlier

On May 25 Richard Scotti was killed in a motorcycle accident on Rose Avenue near Parlier in Fresno County. Reportedly Scotti, a Selma resident, was riding his motorcycle west on Rose Avenue near the intersection with Smith Avenue when he hit a Ford F-150. The pickup truck was also westbound on Rose Avenue at the time of the accident.

May 24 fatal big rig accident on Highway 152 in Merced County

On May 24 a big rig driver was killed when he crashed his big rig on Highway 152 near the Upper Cottonwood Recreation Area in Merced County. Reportedly the big rig drifted off the south side of the highway and went up a dirt embankment before it rolled over. As it was rolling, the truck caught on fire. A witness attempted to pull the driver from the burning wreckage but was unsuccessful. The Good Samaritan suffered minor burns to his hands and was taken to Memorial Hospital in Los Banos for treatment. The driver of the big rig died at the scene of the accident.

March 31 wrongful death accident at Akers and Caldwell in Visalia leads to murder charges

On March 31 Ruben and Gloria Mendoza, along with their 17-year-old son Ruben Mendoza Jr. were killed when their vehicle was broadsided by an SUV driven by Erick Head. Reportedly Head was evading a police officer who was attempting to pull him over on Highway 99 near Avenue 280 in Visalia. Head exited with his flat-bed trailer at Caldwell Avenue and sped along until hitting the Mendoza's vehicle at the Akers intersection. A third vehicle was also hit, resulting in minor injuries. Head tried to run away from the scene of the accident on foot. Head's passenger, Christina Garcia, was ejected from the vehicle, was treated for mild to moderate injuries at Kaweah Delta Medical Center, and was not charged with a crime. Head, however, was given several criminal charges including three accounts of first-degree murder.

May 20 wrongful death accident on I-5 in King's County

On May 20 a man was killed in an accident on I-5 in King's County. Reportedly the Westminster man was driving south when he drifted across the median into the northbound lanes of traffic. His vehicle then went down an embankment and into an aqueduct. His body was pulled from the aqueduct more than four hours later and he was declared dead at that time.

May 7 motorcycle accident on Highway 99 in Turlock

 On May 7 a motorcyclist was injured in an accident on Highway 99 just south of Turlock. Reportedly the motorcycle hit a car and possible a truck as well. The southbound lanes of Highway 99 were closed for a period of time while a helicopter landed to take the motorcyclist to the hospital. No further details are available at this time.

April 28 Modesto bicycle accident on Modesto puts 12-year-old girl in critical condition

 On April 28 Na'Keisha White was put in a coma after she was hit by a pickup truck while riding her bike on Carver Road in Modesto. Reportedly White was riding north on Carver Road across Briggsmore Avenue when she was hit by a pickup truck and thrown from her bike. She was given CPR by a neighbor before emergency crews arrived. White is now in critical condition at Children's Hospital and Research Center in Oakland where she has been placed in a medically induce coma to help her brain swelling subside. No further information regarding the identity of the driver or the cause of the accident are available at this time.