[03-30-2022] Santa Cruz County, CA – 18-Year-Old Teenage Passenger Killed in Fatal Crash in Scotts Valley

According to the California Highway Patrol, an 18-year-old teenager identified as Carlton K. from Scotts Valley was killed in a fatal crash Wednesday afternoon, March 30, 2022.

The deadly crash occurred at 3:40 P.M. traveling northbound on Granite Creek Road in Scotts Valley.

According to CHP Officer Alyssa Gutierrez, the 18-year-old victim was a passenger in a 2006 Subaru Outback traveling off the road for an unknown reason.

Gutierrez further stated that the Subaru traveled down a nearby embankment toward Granite Creek before crashing into a tree.

The driver suffered minor to moderate injuries and the passenger was left unconscious with major injuries and in critical condition, according to Gutierrez.

Gutierrez said the 18-year-old died at Dignity Health Dominican Hospital, prior to being airlifted to an area trauma center.

The cause of the crash remained under investigation as investigators had not yet determined whether unsafe speeds, drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash.

Fatal Car Crash Statistics

Many California drivers aren’t aware that single-vehicle collisions are among the most hazardous.

Sixty-two percent of all fatal car accidents in California involve only one vehicle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Drivers in California, where single-vehicle accidents are all too common, need to be aware of the many contributing factors.

A single-vehicle collision can be caused by a wide range of factors. A run-off-the-road accident occurs when a driver loses control while speeding or making sharp turns on a wet, slippery road. The road may also be littered with debris, such as a large branch or something that fell off a truck.

An accident caused by something that is not your or another driver’s fault, like a deer jumping in front of your vehicle, will likely limit your compensation under your comprehensive insurance plan.

Santa Cruz County Car Accident Lawyers

For many car accident victims, their injuries prevent them from returning to work or school. Negligent drivers are not exempted from responsibility, even if a victim dies as a result of their actions. Families can file lawsuits against the negligent driver who caused the death of their loved one by bringing a wrongful death claim (or legal heirs).

For victims, the act of reliving their sorrows and grieving is a difficult one. They must testify about their losses in front of strangers in depositions and trials. One’s mental health can take a significant toll on one’s ability to get a case settled.

A negligent driver should be held accountable if they cause an accident. Accountability is critical in cases where negligence results in an excessive death toll. For grieving families, wrongful death lawsuits can be emotionally challenging but can also provide a sense of closure. This is a win-win situation for everyone on California’s roads.

Our Santa Cruz County car accident lawyers at Arash Law have decades of combined experience and have recovered more than $750 million for our clients throughout California. You can get a free consultation by calling us at (888) 488-1391.