Jose Asuncion Aguirre, 61, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after he was hit by a Lexus while loading groceries into his truck, the afternoon of September 20, 2011. According to a news report in the Daily Breeze, the fatal car accident occurred at the El Super Market on West Century Boulevard in Inglewood. Police said Aguirre was loading groceries into the back of his Ford Ranger pickup truck, when the driver of a 2000 Lexus struck the Ford and knocked the victim into the path of a 2001 GMC Yukon. The driver of the Lexus fled the scene.

Aguirre suffered major trauma to his upper body and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The driver of the Lexus returned to the scene 30 minutes later. Authorities have not charged the driver as the investigation is ongoing. Officials say the driver hit the gas pedal instead of the brake while parking in a stall in front of where Aguirre was at the time of the collision.

I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Jose Asuncion Aguirre for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep this grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.

Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were five fatalities and 486 injuries involving Inglewood car accidents. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 554 people died and 50,817 were injured as a result of car accidents, during the same year.

Hit-and-Run

I'm relieved to note that the driver came back to the scene, but that does not justify his earlier actions. California law requires all motorists involved in an injury crash to stop immediately, wait until authorities arrive, exchange pertinent information with other parties and most importantly, get help for the injured victim. In this case, if the news report is accurate, the driver did none of the above. Instead, he fled the scene leaving the critically injured victim lying in the parking lot. Appalling!

California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."

Claim for Compensation

In such cases where negligence or wrongdoing may be involved, the family of a deceased car accident victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. Families of victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.