A motorcycle accident in San Dimas on June 6, 2010, killed Michael Smith, 36, and seriously injured an 11-year-old boy. The other driver, Ryan Ferreira, 39, ran from the scene of the traffic accident. Ferreira made an unsafe lane change near Smith’s Honda CRB1000 motorcycle on a transition road between the southbound 57 Freeway (SR-57) and eastbound the Interstate 10 Freeway (I-10) and caused the collision.
The initial investigation by the police revealed that it was a solo motorcycle accident. It was an anonymous tipster that changed the course of traffic investigation and lead to the arrest of Ryan on the charges of the hit-and-run with injury and vehicular manslaughter. Physical evidence of Ferreira’s presence at the scene of accident has been found that further validates the arrest.
In the light of these new findings, the Smith family may be entitled for compensation to cover the cost of funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of partner and for injuries caused to the young boy along with hospitalization expenses. Ferreira committed the double mistake of causing the motor vehicle accident and then running away from the scene. It was totally inhuman of Ferreira to leave someone on the road to die. The primary reason why California law requires people to remain at the scene of a car accident is to make sure that anyone who is injured can receive immediate medical attention.
We offer our deepest sympathies to the Smith family for such a tragic loss and appreciate the tipster for providing valuable information that lead to the truth. There are few acts so vile as someone who would run away from their responsibilities after being involved in a car accident.
Ross Jurewitz is a skilled Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney and the managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed in a motorcycle crash. If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a motorcycle crash in Los Angeles County, please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz’s book, The Ultimate California Motorcycle Accident Book. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.
