Willie Parker, 71, of Moreno Valley, and James Robert Condon, a 74, of San Jacinto, were killed in a Riverside car accident, which involved a head-on collision the morning of November 3, 2011. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, the fatal crash occurred on the Ramona Expressway. Officials say Condon, who was the driver of a pickup truck, may have tried to pass another vehicle near Sixth Street in Perris, before hitting a big rig that was being driven by Parker. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Willie Parker and James Robert Condon for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were seven fatalities and 162 injuries involving car accidents in Perris. In Riverside County as a whole, 203 people died and 7,974 were injured due to car accidents, during the same year.

Possible Unsafe Pass

Based on this news report, the driver of the pickup truck, Condon, may have made an unsafe pass and struck the big rig head-on. California Vehicle Code Section 21751: "On a two-lane highway, no vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless the left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction."

Compensation Issues

In this particular case, Parker's family will be able to receive workers compensation benefits from his employer because he was on the job at the time of the collision. In addition, if Condon is determined to have caused the accident, Parker's family can also file a wrongful death claim against Condon's estate and/or liability insurance. Families can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and loss of companionship.

Victims' families in such cases would be well advised to contact an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims or their families.