[05-23-2022] Santa Barbara County, CA – Woman Killed After a Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash in Lompoc

A 50-year-old woman identified as Shirley Cavazos J. was killed by a reckless driver in Lompoc on Monday night, May 23, 2022.

The fatal accident happened at approximately 10:00 p.m. in the J/K alley just north of Laurel Avenue.

The 50-year-old woman had just exited her vehicle and was walking home when a reckless driver suddenly struck her.

The driver also hit gas and water lines and a fence in the area before driving away from the accident scene.

The 50-year-old woman was fatally injured in the accident. She was rushed to an area hospital but later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.

Authorities were later able to locate the hit-and-run driver. The driver was identified as 27-year-old Miriam Aidee Vela E. She was taken into custody and was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and felony hit-and-run.

Local authorities are further investigating the case. Witnesses that can give more information about the accident are urged to call detectives at 805.736.2341.

Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident Statistics

The hit-and-run driver is accountable for abandoning the victim rather than assisting them and fleeing the scene. When the suspect is apprehended, they will certainly be charged with a crime.

One out of every five pedestrian accidents results from a hit-and-run driver. Pedestrians account for 60% of those killed in hit-and-run accidents.

According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety data from 2018, there are an estimated 682,000 hit-and-run incidents in the United States each year. Since 2009, the number of people killed in hit-and-run accidents has increased by nearly 7%.

In 2015, there were over 737,000 hit-and-runs, accounting for 11% of all traffic accidents. Hit-and-run accidents injured over 138,000 people and killed over 1,800. In 2016, California had the most hit-and-run fatalities in the United States, with 337.

Hit-and-run drivers commonly flee the scene due to intoxication, driving without a license, or fear of being arrested.

Santa Barbara County Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers

If you have a loved one who a reckless hit-and-run driver killed, now is your opportunity to seek justice for them. You have the right to sue for money damages. Hit-and-run victims can get money for their injuries in a few different ways, depending on the details of the case.

After getting involved in a deadly hit-and-run accident, victims must immediately speak with experienced accident lawyers so they can assist them in filing a wrongful death claim.

The Santa Barbara County hit-and-run accident lawyers at Arash Law have a lot of experience defending pedestrians who have been hurt or killed in pedestrian accidents.

Our lawyers spend time getting to know them and their problems to get the best settlements or jury verdicts for our clients. Call (888) 488-1391 to talk to a lawyer about your hit-and-run case.