[03-19-2021] Los Angeles, CA – One Person Killed After a Street Racing Accident in West Hills

A 57-year-old woman identified as Colleen W. lost her life after a suspected street racer crashed into her vehicle in West Hills on Friday afternoon, March 19.

The deadly high-speed collision transpired at around 4:04 p.m. in the 24399 block of West Vanowen Street, between Valley Circle Boulevard and Platt Avenue.

Two to three cars were reportedly street racing when one driver lost control of his vehicle, crashing into the 57-year-old victim’s car. Bystanders attempted to extricate the woman from the wreckage and provided CPR until the paramedics arrived.

Unfortunately, the victim was unable to survive her injuries and was later pronounced dead at the scene. Another person was injured after the crash. They were taken to an area hospital for treatment.

One man was arrested on suspicion of street racing and driving under the influence.

The Los Angeles Police Department is currently looking for one more driver who reportedly fled the scene after the accident. Local authorities are further investigating the case.

Speeding-Related Accidents Statistics

High-speed racing on the road is probably one of the most dangerous and reckless things drivers can do, especially if they’re not professional racecar drivers. They could potentially injure others, and it can also lead to fatal consequences.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly ten thousand victims were killed across the United States in 2018 in auto accidents caused by speeding. In 2017, speeding was a factor in 26 percent of all traffic fatalities. This statistic means that more than one out of every four car accident victims was killed because of speeding. But why is speeding so deadly? The answer is simple physics.

The higher a vehicle’s speed, the more force it will generate when it collides with another object. Forces generated in a collision must have somewhere to go. Passenger vehicles are designed to absorb as much energy as possible, but no system can entirely divert all forces away from passengers. The higher the collision force, the more serious a victim’s injuries are likely to be.

Section 22350 of the California Vehicle Code prevents drivers from traveling “at speed greater than is reasonable or prudent.” It is important to note that drivers can be cited for traveling at the posted speed limit if conditions make it unsafe to go that fast.

What conditions could affect a “reasonable and prudent speed”? The statute specifically identifies weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the roadway’s surface and width as factors that affect the speed it is safe to travel.

Los Angeles Wrongful Death Claim for Victims of Fatal Speeding Accidents

Suddenly losing a loved one due to a fatal pedestrian accident can be quite devastating and stressful.

While waiting for the official investigation results, the victim’s family is encouraged to pursue a wrongful death claim with their attorney’s help. Through the wrongful death claim, the victim’s family can seek financial compensation for the damages such as loss of companionship and income, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and emotional distress that the fatal accident has caused them.

The experienced auto accident lawyers at Arash Law have decades of experience. We have collected over 500 million dollars for clients across the state. We serve clients in San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and California. Call (888) 488-1391 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.

We fight hard to protect your legal rights so that you can focus on making the best recovery possible from your injuries. The sooner you have an experienced car accident lawyer fighting on your side, the better protected your legal rights will be.