Author Archives: Dara Khajavi, Esq.

FedEx Truck Slams into Bus, 10 killed, 32 Injured on the I-5 in Northern California

FedEx Truck Slams into Bus, 10 killed, 32 Injured on the I-5 in Northern California

 

A big rig FedEx truck slammed into a charter bus that transported high school students and chaperones on the I-5 in Northern California. They were on a trip designed to introduce high school students to universities. This big rig and bus accident resulted in the death of at least 10 people, dozens of other people injured, and both vehicles to catch on fire.  Investigators are uncertain of the details behind the collision that occurred 100 miles north of Sacramento on Thursday.

 

Fedex
Fedex (Photo credit: erikleenaars)

An investigative team from Washington’s National Transportation Safety Board was at the Orland bus and FedEx accident scene.

 

A  California Highway Patrol dispatcher stated that the crash happened at approximately 5:41 p.m. It resulted in the death of the drivers of the vehicles, five students, and three chaperones.

 

NTSB assigned Highway Safety Investigator Robert Accetta to lead the “multi-disciplinary” team sent

to the site.

 

Bus passengers were college bound high school seniors. They were on their way to visit the Humboldt State University campus.

 

“Humboldt State University is deeply saddened by a tragic accident… involving a charter bus filled with prospective students,” the university in Arcata, Calif said in a statement. “They were on their way to visit campus for the April 11 Spring Preview event. Our hearts go out to those who have been affected, and we are here to support them, and their families, in any way possible.”

 

Several of the students went to local hospitals with injuries according to Glenn County sheriffs.

 

More than 40 students were on the bus. Most of them escaped through one of the windows that a student kicked open. They ran as far as they could from the site before the Humboldt-bound bus accident resulted in an explosion. At least 37 students needed medical attention for broken bones, burns, cuts and other injuries.

 

“The victims were teenage kids. A lot of them were freaked out. They were shocked. They still couldn’t grasp what happened,” Jason Wyman with the Orland Volunteer Fire Department told reporters.

 

FedEx has a satisfactory safety rating on the road. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration records showed that during a two-year period the company was in 430 crashes in USA. Of those FedEx collisions, nine were fatal crashes, 171 were injury crashes and 257 involved the need for a tow truck.

 

The charter bus company also involved in the collision has a satisfactory safety rating as well. Records show the company has had on instance of an injury crash and one needing a tow truck, also within a two-year period.

2 Dead in Huntington Beach Crash

A single car crash in Huntington Beach left a man and woman dead.

Two people died in a fatal collision that took place at about 5:20 a.m. this morning. The collision took place at Ellis Avenue and Main Street. Investigators believe that the driver, driving a Honda sedan, was traveling westbound on Ellis Avenue at a high rate of speed. The driver failed to successfully execute a turn onto Main Street.

The Civic slammed into a tree. The force of the impact split the Civic into at least two pieces. There were no survivors. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.  Pieces of the vehicle were scattered up to 60 feet from the tree.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Investigators believe that speed may be a factor. The high speed may have made it difficult for the driver to maintain control during the turn. It is unclear whether drugs or alcohol may have been a factor in the crash. A Sig Alert was issued while crews worked on cleaning the crash. Traffic was routed away from the area during the investigation of the accident.

Victims have been identified. The identities of the victims have not been released, pending family notification.

If you are ever in a car accident in Huntington Beach, contact a Huntington Beach car accident lawyer. The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle any car accident. Our expert legal team is dedicated to you. We are on your side. Call us today for a free consultation. Don’t worry if money is an issue. There are absolutely no charges until your case is won.

4 Dead, 1 injured in San Clemente Crash

A solo car crash in San Clemente killed four people and seriously injured one person early Saturday.

The violent crash took place at around 1:30 a.m. Saturday on South El Camino Real. The vehicle was a white late model BMW. Investigators say that the BMW was headed south when it struck a light pole and a palm tree. The vehicle split in half and four people were ejected from the vehicle.

There were four deceased victims. These victims have been identified as 25-year-old Pablo Vargas Diaz, 26-year-old Martin Junior Nieto, 27-year-old Lucia Garcia Solis, and Louis Silva. All of the victims were residents of South Orange County. All of the victims grew up together. They were a close group of friends.

There was only one survivor. She was the front-seat passenger. The survivor was identified as 24 year old Josephine Garcia. She was airlifted to a local trauma center for treatment. Garcia is in serious condition but expected to survive.

Investigators believe that the driver and passengers may have been drinking. Speed may have also played a role in the accident.  The main cause of the crash is still under investigation. Investigators have not confirmed whether alcohol was a factor.

Two off duty Long Beach firefighter-paramedics happened to be nearby. These firefighter-paramedics helped the victims before the authorities arrived. Orange County Fire Authority paramedics arrived at the scene to help the victims.

Two tow trucks were needed to clear the wreckage. South El Camino Real was closed between the 5 freeway and Avenida Barcelona. The El Camino Real off ramp from the 5 southbound was closed as well. All roads were reopened around noon on Saturday.

Mourners have made a make shift memorial at the scene of the car crash. The victims were close friends. Relatives and friends of the victims have been visiting the makeshift memorial. The victims will be fondly remembered by all that survived them.

This crash was the first quadruple fatal accident since the 1960s. The Sheriff’s department began policing the area during this time.

If you are ever in a car accident, you should contact a San Clemente car accident lawyer.

Two Die in an Anaheim Crash

A fatal accident killed a 25 year old and 7 year old passenger.

The driver was a 41 year old woman. She was heading east on the 91 early Monday at around 12:40 a.m. The driver was arguing with a passenger, her boyfriend. At around Harbor Boulevard, the passenger, 25 year old Mario Lopez Alaniz, grabbed the steering wheel. The driver lost control of the vehicle.

The vehicle, a 2003 Isuzu, veered across eastbound lanes. It came to a stop when it drove into an embankment and hit a tree.

The driver sustained minor injuries. Lopez Alaniz was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. A second passenger, a 7 year old boy, was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange. He later died from his injuries. The boy has been identified as Angel Granados.

California Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Officers will investigate whether alcohol was involved in the accident.

If you are ever in a car accident, contact an Anaheim car accident lawyer immediately. The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle any cases. We are on your side. We have your best interests at heart. The trauma from a car accident can be incredible. You should not have to worry about talking to insurance companies. We focus on negotiations so you can focus on your recovery.

Contact us today for a free consultation.  Don’t worry if you are having any money issues. There are absolutely no charges until your case is won.

Wrong Way Driver Causes Fatal Santa Ana Crash

A fatal collision left one dead and three seriously injured.

The collision took place at around 1:40 a.m. early Saturday on West McFadden Avenue near South Mohawk Drive.  A driver driving the wrong way crashed head on into a pickup truck stopped at a red light. The wrong way driver was driving a Nissan Sentra. He died in the accident. Three other individuals were injured in the accident.

Evidence suggests that the Nissan was traveling at high speeds going westbound on McFadden Avenue. There were two male passengers in the Nissan. The driver drifted into the eastbound lanes.  The car collided head on into a dark blue Chevy Silverado.

Orange County Fire Authority firefighters had to extricate all the occupants out of the Nissan. None of the occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident. The Nissan driver died at the scene of the accident. His front passenger was taken to Western medical Center. This passenger initially had critical injuries but is now conscious and coherent. The rear passenger was taken to UCI medical center in critical condition. The pickup truck driver was a 48 year old woman. She was taken to UCI Medical Center in serious condition.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation, but alcohol may have contributed to the accident. Police found open containers of alcohol in the Nissan Sentra. He has been identified as 30 year old Andres Lopez. The other names of the victims have not been released.

This unfortunate accident seriously injured all the people involved. These victims may have a long and difficult recovery. They may have to go through extensive physical therapy and excruciating pain. The recovery process can also be quite expensive. Insurance companies can help to cover some of these costs, but a Santa Ana car accident lawyer can help you seek maximum damages for your losses.

The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle any case. Our excellent legal team has a very high success rate. Don’t worry if money is an issue. There are absolutely no charges until your case is won. Call us today for a free consultation.

 

Fatal East Coast Highway Crash

A fatal two car crash took place on East Coast Highway in Newport Beach.

The accident took place at around 6:50 a.m. near the intersection of east Coast Highway and Promontory Drive. The crash involved a green Nissan Quest and a black Nissan Maxima. It is unclear what caused the accident. When police arrived on the scene, they found the Maxima had struck a pole.

The driver of the Nissan Maxima was severely injured. He had to be extracted from the vehicle using the Jaws of Life. The driver of the Maxima was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana. He later died at the hospital from his injuries. The driver of the Quest was interviewed at the scene and released from the scene with no injuries.

After the accident, police blocked eastbound lanes of East Coast Highway from Bayside Drive and Jamboree Road. The road remained block during investigation until around 10:30 a.m. Police investigators are still investigating the cause of the accident.

If you are ever in a car accident, contact a Newport Beach car accident lawyer immediately. Injuries sustained from a car accident can be quite severe. The damage from a car accident may require extensive physical therapy and many hospital visits. Insurance companies may cover some of the costs, but a car accident lawyer can help you seek maximum damages.

The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle any case. Our excellent car accident lawyers are fully prepared to handle any case. Call us today for a free consultation.

 

Westminster Crash and Shooting

Two men were found shot in an overturned car in Westminster.

The shootings took place near the intersection of Ash and Springdale Streets at 5 a.m. Police received reports of gunshots at around 5:10 a.m. Officials also received reports of a traffic accident in the same area. When police arrived to the scene, they found an overturned Audi coup. The driver and passenger were still in vehicle. They were both bleeding from gunshot wounds.

The two victims have not been identified. Both men were hospitalized. One victim sustained serious injuries and was in serious condition. The other victim is stable. These victims were driving home from a taco stand. The driver lost control when another driver opened fire on the Audi.  Police believed that after the shooting the Audi hit a parked car and the overturned.

Police have arrested a suspect. The suspect, Ryan Paul McAlister, was arrested around 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Police had uncovered evidence that led them to believe that McAlister was responsible for the shooting. McAlister was arrested after Police searched his home and vehicle. A handgun was found during the search. McAlister was booked in Orange County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder. He is currently being held on $1 million bail.

Detectives do not believe that the shooting was gang-related. It does appear that McAlister had a relationship with the victims. The motive of the shooting was not immediately known. Police believe that the shooting was an isolated incident and not a random act of violence.

The intersection of Ash and Springdale streets were closed for hours after. Westminster police are asking for any witnesses or information regarding the shooting.

If you are ever in a car accident, contact a Westminster car accident lawyer immediately. Please do not wait. If you chose to wait, you may make your recovery more difficult. Injuries sustained in a car accident can be quite serious. You should be focusing on your recovery and not worrying about negotiations. A car accident lawyer focuses on negotiations so that you can focus on your recovery. The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle your case. Call us today for a free consultation.

 

Laguna Beach Crash Kills 2

A single vehicle crash on Laguna Canyon Road killed two men and injured two others.

The accident took place last Thursday afternoon on the Laguna Canyon Road off ramp from southbound 73. It was closed for 12 hours after the crash. At around 5:40 p.m., a 53 year old man was driving a Ford F650 struck a guardrail on the west edge of the off-ramp. The vehicle overturned and landed on its right passenger side.

There were three passengers in the vehicle.  A 42 year old Santa Ana man and 38 year old Stanton man were seated on the right side of the truck. They were both killed in the accident. A third passenger, a 39 year old Santa Ana man, was seated in the left rear area of the truck. He sustained major injuries. The driver also sustained major injuries. The two survivors were taken to Mission Hospital for treatment. Current status of the survivors is not known.  Everyone in the vehicle was wearing seatbelts.

One of the victims was identified as Esteban Dimas Alonzo. The other individuals in the car have not been identified. No other individuals were injured in the crash. The off ramp was closed for about 12 hours after the crash. It was later opened at 5 a.m. Friday morning. No arrests have been made. There is an ongoing investigation into the crash.

If you are ever in a car accident, contact a Laguna Beach car accident lawyer immediately. Survivors of car accidents often sustain serious injuries. Serious injuries may require extensive physical therapy and hospital time. These bills can really add up. You should not have to worry about paying your expenses.  This is why you should a car accident lawyer. A car accident lawyer focuses on all the paperwork and negotiations so you can focus on your recovery.

Contact a Laguna Beach car accident lawyer today. You deserve to be in perfect health. Do not postpone your recovery process any longer. Call us today for a free consultation. Do not worry if money is an issue. There are absolutely no charges until your case is won.

Fatal Fullerton Crash

A possible drunken driver died in a police pursuit crash.

The collision took place after 2 a.m. early Wednesday. A taxi driver was driving an alleged intoxicated passenger. He was dropping of the passenger near Wilshire Avenue and Harbor Boulevard.  The passenger got out of the vehicle, and he went to the driver’s side and attacked the driver. The passenger then got into a silver Scion and sped off.

The taxi driver called the police to report the altercation. He followed the Scion driver until officers arrived. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it sped away. The officers engaged in a pursuit that lasted about a minute. About a mile away, the driver lost control. He attempted to make a turn at Ameridge and Roosevelt. He struck a palm tree, a parked car, and a house. The suspect was pronounced at the scene. No one was injured in the accident. The house did sustain some minor damage.

Police were on the scene for at least 5 hours after the accident. Emergency medical professionals tried to resuscitate him, but he did not recover.  Thankfully, no other individuals were injured in this accident.

If you are ever in a car accident, contact a Fullerton car accident lawyer. The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle any accident. Our excellent car accident lawyers can handle any kind of accident. Contact us today for a free consultation. Don’t worry if money is an issue. There are absolutely no charges until your case is won.

Hyundai Recalls 27,500 Genesis Sedans

The Korean manufacturer will recall about 27,500 Genesis sedans from the 2009-2012 model years for a breaking problem.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating the recalled cars since last Thursday. According to a Genesis spokesperson, the brake fluid, in these vehicles, may cause corrosion on brake control unit valves. A gel may build up on valves in the braking system, resulting a loss of brakes. This defect may reduce braking power. To fix this problem, dealers will replace the brake fluid. Some vehicles will have their control units replaced.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched the investigation because of complaints from 23 owners. Some owners reported brake pedal issues.  There have been reports of accidents related to this defect. Owners have also reported loss of control of the vehicle.  There are no reports of any injuries related to the defect.

Hyundai is fully cooperating with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s investigation. 69,000 Genesis models from these years were sold. About 60 percent of them have been repaired through a company service campaign. This company service campaign took place in March. Hyundai replaced brake fluid as part of a service campaign.

Owners of affected models will be notified of the recall by mail starting in November. Dealerships will provide a pickup service for affected cars.  Dealerships will also provide a loaner vehicle. Owners should call their local dealer to set up a time to get their car checked and repaired. The dealership will change brake fluid in cars and inspect electronic brake control modules.  The recall affects cars built from April 1, 2008 through March 16, 2012.

Thankfully, no one has been injured due to this defect. If you are ever injured in a car accident due to another individual’s negligence, you may want to hire an Orange County car accident lawyer. Car accidents can be quite serious. Injuries sustained from a car accident may require time away from work and extended physical therapy. Insurance may cover some of these costs, but a car accident lawyer can ensure that you receive maximum damages for your losses.

Contact the Law Offices of Dara Khajavi if you have any questions. Our expert car accident lawyers focus on negotiations so you can focus on your recovery.  Do not worry if money is an issue. There are absolutely no costs until your case is won. Call us today for a free consultation.