[10-25-2021] Merced County, CA – One Person Killed After a Deadly Hit-and-Run Crash on Highway 99

One unidentified person was killed after getting beaten to death by a driver while trying to cross Highway 99 on early Monday morning, October 25.

The fatal crash transpired at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Highway 99, north of Atwater Boulevard. A 24-year-old driver stopped his vehicle after believing that he had hit an object on the road. The driver then noticed that he had struck a man and immediately called 911.

Authorities then determined that another driver had previously attacked the victim, and the driver that struck him fled the scene. Unfortunately, the 52-year-old victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers in Livingston have discovered a damaged license plate belonging to a 2018 Toyota Camry. The owner was later identified as 21-year-old Raul J. and was apprehended by local authorities.

The suspect was taken into custody on suspicion of hit-and-run. Local authorities are further investigating the case.

Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident Statistics

It has been estimated that since 2006, the United States has had around 682,000 hit-and-run accidents, with more than 2,000 people killed each year. Unfortunately, the number of hit-and-run incidents is higher than it’s ever been. The number of people killed in hit-and-run accidents has increased by a startling seven percent every year since 2009.

In the United States, there were roughly 2,049 people killed in hit-and-run accidents in 2016. Around 682,000 hit-and-runs occur every year in the United States. Hit-and-run drivers frequently strike pedestrians and flee the scene of the crime.

One out of every five pedestrian incidents is the result of hit-and-run drivers. In hit-and-run accidents, pedestrians account for 60% of the victims killed. Hit-and-run drivers often leave the scene because they’re intoxicated, driving without insurance, or they’re afraid of getting arrested for not reporting the incident.

Merced County Hit-and-Run Accident Attorneys for Victims

The victim’s family is encouraged to file a wrongful death claim with the assistance of an attorney. The victim’s family can seek compensation for the damages (such as loss of income and companionship, burial costs, pain and suffering, and emotional anguish) caused by the fatal accident through a wrongful death claim.

Every automobile accident is challenging to deal with. Still, things get even more complicated when you add the additional element of being abandoned by a hit-and-run motorist at the site. While it is natural to feel overwhelmed during such an accident, retaining expert legal advice is likely to be critical to the success of your claim.

Arash Law’s skilled hit-and-run attorneys are dedicated to assisting you in recovering from the losses you’ve endured. Our experienced legal team has spent decades fighting for the rights of accident victims just like you. Our hit-and-run accident lawyers are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so please don’t hesitate to call us at (888) 488-1391 today to discuss your accident with a hit-and-run lawyer.