Corona, CA – Hit-and-Run Road Rage Crash with Serious Injuries on St Rte 91
Corona, CA (August 19, 2022) – Following a police investigation, a woman has been arrested on Tuesday, August 16 stemming from a hit-and-run road rage crash that led to the serious injury of one of the drivers in Corona.
According to California Highway Patrol (CHP), the accident occurred on State Route 91 when Kaylynn Heatley, 21, allegedly rammed her Jeep into a Tesla, which then crashed into two other cars and caused them to be run off the road on August 12.
After the accident, Heatley immediately fled the scene without exchanging information or checking on the occupants of the other vehicles. CHP officers obtained the Jeep’s license plate number and were able to locate Heatley’s vehicle at an address in Placentia. Her vehicle was taken into custody to be used as evidence. Heatley was also apprehended by police and is being held for arraignment on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, hit-and-run, and reckless driving causing great bodily injury. This last charge is a felony due to the permanent disfigurement that was caused by the accident.
The other vehicles involved in the accident sustained substantial damage. Paramedics arrived on the scene within minutes, helped victims from their vehicles, and tended to their medical needs. The injured were transported to the hospital with major injuries. One person’s injuries were so severe that doctors had to amputate one of their limbs.
Our thoughts are with the victims injured in this accident. We hope for their full recovery.
Hit-and-Run Road Rage Accidents in California
Road rage is a very serious problem on the country’s roadways. There are so many cars on America’s roadways, and the stress of busy commutes can make people angry and lash out. According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, an astonishing 80% of U.S. drivers have reported becoming so angry and aggressive that they engaged in road rage behaviors at least once a year. Researchers estimate that approximately 101 million people of the 214 million registered drivers have purposefully tailgated another vehicle out of anger. Three percent, or 5.7 million people, say they have purposely slammed or bumped other cars in anger.
California law clearly states that if a driver is involved in an accident, the driver must pull off the road at the scene of the accident. Oftentimes, a driver will flee the scene of an accident when they know they have done something wrong and don’t want to be held accountable. Failing to stop at the scene of an accident is a punishable offense and will be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony offense, depending on the circumstances. If you’ve been involved in a crash with a driver who flees the scene, taking a series of steps, if you’re able to, can help your ability to recover a settlement. These steps are to:
- Collect as much information as possible while at the scene of the accident (i.e. make, model, color, license plate number of the other vehicle)
- Call the police as soon as possible (so they can record the accident and investigate)
- Get the names and contact information of any witnesses (this information can be given to the police when they arrive)
- Get immediate medical attention
- Report the accident to your own insurance company
If you or a family member were in a hit-and-run road rage accident you should speak to an experienced car accident lawyer right away, who can walk you through the process of what is to come and help you understand your rights and what you may be entitled to as compensation for your suffering. Contact a Corona car accident attorney by calling (888) 539-3154 to see how we can help you.
Note: This post was created through the use of secondary sources such as state and local news sources, police accident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts about serious injury accidents that take place in Orange County. The facts surrounding this accident have not been independently verified, therefore, if any information is incorrect, please contact Russell & Lazarus APC, Personal Injury Lawyer so we can update the post with the most accurate information available. We will remove this post upon request.
Disclaimer: This is not a solicitation for business. None of the information in this post is intended to be medical or legal advice. The photo used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene.