Manslaughter Charges Filed in San Jose Car Accident
A 28-year-old bicyclist who died in a San Jose car accident the morning of February 1, 2010 has been identified as Joshua Ryan West. According to a news report in the San Jose Mercury News, the fatal bicycle accident occurred when the driver of a Chevy Blazer, 50-year-old Kevin Derr, lost control of his speeding car on Lark Avenue in Los Gatos. The SUV jumped the curb and struck West. Authorities say Derr was attempting to move ahead of slow-moving traffic and was traveling at a high rate of speed given the traffic conditions. He was apparently doing 50 in a 30-mph zone. Derr has been charged with vehicular manslaughter because authorities say they believe he was "grossly negligent" at the time of the collision.
My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Joshua Ryan West. I offer my deepest sympathies especially to his family. West was on his way to physical therapy and he had just dropped off his 7-year-old daughter Briana in school when this tragic bicycle accident occurred. Please keep this grieving family in your prayers.
Car Accident Causes
If the details of this news report are accurate, Derr's vehicle was out of control. Traffic investigators say from the absence of skid marks that Derr did not make any attempt to stop the SUV. However, officials say they have no evidence to suggest that Derr was under the influence. They are still investigating to determine what caused this fatal car accident. I trust investigators are also looking into whether Derr had a medical condition, if he was using prescription drugs, or under the influence of any type of drugs, or whether he was distracted at the time.
Liability Issues
In such cases, victims' families would be well-advised to contact a reputed San Francisco personal injury lawyer who will fight for their rights and ensure that they get fair compensation for their losses. In this case, West's family may be able to file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation to cover medical or funeral expenses, lost future earnings, 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.
