[09-28-2022] Santa Barbara County, CA – 10-Year-Old Child Killed, Three Others Injured in Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash in Vandenberg

The coroner’s office identified the passenger who perished in the single-vehicle collision on September 28, 2022, on Highway 1 north of Santa Lucia Canyon Road.

The deceased was Judith P. D.C., a 10-year-old from Lompoc.

…

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reported that one 10-year-old child was found underneath a car dead, and three other people were injured after a car flipped over into dense brush along Highway 1 in Vandenberg Village on Wednesday morning, September 28, 2022.

According to county fire spokesman Mike Eliason, the accident occurred just before 8:00 a.m. along Highway 1 south of Santa Lucia Canyon Road in Lompoc.

The 18-year-old Lompoc resident operating the vehicle made an unsafe turn in the left-hand lane, sending the car off the edge of the road and onto the right shoulder of Highway 1.

The car flipped multiple times, ejecting two passengers in the process before coming to rest on its left side.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a 10-year-old girl was discovered dead under the vehicle, the driver was taken to Marian Regional Medical Center with serious head injuries, and an eight-year-old girl was flown to Santa Barbara Cottage.

Eliason said that due to the extent of injuries to those involved, a correct count of those in the var couldn’t be verified, and firefighters were searching methodically by ground and air around the vehicle for other possible patients.

The CHP concluded that there was no evidence of alcohol or drug use contributing to the collision.

Both southbound lanes of Highway 1 were shut down; however, they reopened just before 11:30 a.m.

Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash Statistics

Death tolls from single-vehicle accidents in California consistently top the thousands annually. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 62% of fatal collisions on California roads involve only one vehicle. There are a lot of hazards on the road in California, so drivers need to be on guard at all times.

There are many potential contributors to single-vehicle accidents. Reckless driving on a slippery road, such as increasing your speed or making a sharp turn, can lead to an off-road collision or a runaway car. A large branch or other pieces of truck-load debris could have washed up on the roadside. In addition, this could make driving conditions even worse.

The coverage plan of your insurance policy may place severe limitations on your ability to recover damages in the event of a single-vehicle accident, even if the other driver’s negligence was a contributing factor.

Santa Barbara County Car Accident Lawyers

Reckless driving is wrong whether or not it results in physical injury to others. A claim against the negligent driver’s insurance company that caused your death is possible.

Speaking publicly about past losses and hurts in a deposition or trial can be emotionally exhausting. Pending legal matters can negatively impact the mental health of individuals.

After a car accident, you should seek legal recourse against the at-fault driver immediately. It is crucial that those responsible for the deaths of several people due to someone else’s carelessness face consequences. Bringing legal action after a family member’s wrongful death is never easy, but it can help provide closure. There will be far-reaching effects on the way people drive in California.

Our Santa Barbara County car accident lawyers at Arash Law are prepared to aggressively defend your rights and recover the compensation you deserve.

Our clients come from all over California, including major cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, Bakersfield, Riverside, San Jose, and Sacramento. To schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys, please call (88) 488-1391 or complete our online intake form.