Young Boy Killed When a Car Crashes Into Apartment Complex
A South Los Angeles family is facing the heartbreak of the wrongful death of a child before the winter holidays. Luis Sanchez, a five-year-old boy, had been working on his letter to Santa in the family’s apartment. In magic marker, he had written, “Santa, I want a bike for Christmas, please” and then the boy fell asleep on the couch. At 12:15 a.m., a sedan driven by a 23-year-old woman careened into the apartment complex on South Central Avenue and crashed through the wall of the Sanchez family apartment.
When emergency responders arrived on the scene, they discovered the parents and the boy trapped underneath the vehicle. All three of these victims, plus two young daughters, were transported to USC Medical Center, where the boy succumbed to his injuries.
Investigation suggests possible DUI case
Certain details about the crash, which occurred on December 1st, are still under investigation. The preliminary report found that when the sedan smashed through the apartment wall, the father jumped in front of his son to try to protect him. The parents and both of their daughters also sustained unspecified injuries; their conditions are not currently known.
In an interview with KABC-TV, LAPD Sergeant Rafael Quesada said, “It’s just senseless loss. That’s all I can say about that. There’s really no reason or justification for this type of stuff. We really, really, really need to look into our hearts and be responsible about our partying, our drinking, our driving.”
Initial reports suggest that the driver, Vrenda Moreno, had a strong odor of alcohol. Police officers have said that Moreno gave a statement to the effect that another driver had cut her off and she had accidentally swerved into the building as a result. An ambulance transported a handcuffed Moreno away from the scene and she is being held on $100,000 bail. The defendant is facing charges of vehicular manslaughter while under the influence.
A look at potential liability issues
The liability issues involved with car-house collisions are similar to the liability issues of multiple vehicular collisions. Although the driver may be facing criminal charges, civil justice can still be pursued and the driver may still be held liable for the wrongful death, property damage, and other damages. The family has the right to consult a personal injury lawyer to discuss filing a wrongful death lawsuit. If the family does pursue litigation in civil court, this case will proceed separately from the criminal court case. Civil lawsuits are held to a lower standard of evidence than criminal cases, which means that even if a driver is found not guilty in criminal court, she can still be found liable for damages in civil court.
Ellis Law: Your personal injury advocates
The personal injury attorneys at Ellis Law have developed a sterling reputation throughout Los Angeles for providing tireless legal advocacy services. If your family has been affected by a negligent or drunk driver, we encourage you to learn about your legal rights and options for recourse during a complimentary consultation at our law firm. Call 310-641-3335 today.