SAN JOSE, CA — One person was killed after a car accident involving suspected racers in San Jose, California on Monday, January 26th, 2015. News reports said that the accident happened at around noon Monday.
Authorities familiar with details of the accident said that an unidentified woman was killed when she was struck by a vehicle while she was walking along Yerba Buena Road. The vehicle is thought to have driven off the road while racing when the car pinned the woman against a nearby tree.
The woman was pronounced dead after the accident.
The driver of the offending vehicle was identified as Gabriel Esparza. The news did not mention if Esparza reported injury in the accident. The driver of the other vehicle was identified as Manuel Maldonado-Avalos. Both Esparza and Avaolos were in custody following the accident.
The investigation is currently ongoing.
Scene of the Accident
View from the Road
Commentary:
The news mentioned that the offending driver(s) may have been racing before the accident, if true, then things are going to be more complex than a typical car accident. In an accident that involves racing, both drivers can be held liable for the accident, not just the driver that hit the victim. Drivers have a duty of care to everyone else on the road to drive in a manner that will not harm or injure anyone. If two drivers were engaging in wanton, reckless driving, feeding each other and pushing the race further down the road, both drivers need to face consequences for their role in the accident. Period.
— Grossman Law Offices