An elderly man who died from injuries sustained in a Ventura car accident has been identified as 88-year-old John Ambrecht. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, the fatal pedestrian accident happened on December 2, 2009 when Ambrecht was walking his dog across Hemlock Street at Napoli Drive in Oxnard. Ambrecht was injured after he fell on the roadway and was then hit by a pickup truck.

Ambrecht suffered compound fractures and was hospitalized, but died recently from complications. The driver told authorities that he did not see Ambrecht on the roadway and couldn't stop his vehicle in time. However, investigators determined that the driver was at fault for failing to yield to a pedestrian. Police have not yet arrested the driver. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Ambrecht. I offer my deepest sympathies to them. Please keep them in your prayers.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one fatality and 64 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Oxnard. Countywide, pedestrian accidents caused eight deaths and 186 injuries in 2007. Also, in Ventura County, traffic accidents claimed 71 lives and injured 3,993 people during the same year.

Right-of-way and Liability Issues

California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: "The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection." The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk "shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian." This driver apparently failed to yield right-of-way to Ambrecht because he did not see him at the intersection.

In such cases, families of victims would benefit from a consultation with an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will make sure that they receive fair compensation for their loss. Where negligence or wrongdoing is involved families of deceased car accident victims could file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation to cover medical and funeral expenses, lost earnings (if applicable), loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.