Westminster, CA – Two Dead, Woman Critical After Wrong-Way Crash on Beach Blvd
Westminster, CA (February 9, 2023) – A 75-year-old woman is fighting for her life at UCI Medical Center after a fatal head-on crash that occurred in Westminster on Monday. Just before 1:00 p.m., Westminster Police Department officers arrived at the 14500 block of Beach Boulevard and came upon an accident involving four automobiles.
When the collision happened, a wrong-way motorist, a man in his 80s, was reportedly heading northbound at a high rate of speed in the southbound lane of Beach Boulevard, per officers.
After the crash, one man was pronounced dead at the scene, and a woman in her seventies, a passenger in one of the vehicles, died at the hospital. The vehicle of a third victim was hit head-on. The victim, a 75-year-old woman, had to be extracted from the vehicle using the jaws of life before she could be transported to the hospital.
The police have not yet released the two deceased victims’ identities. Officers added that the incident is still being investigated in the interim.
We extend our deepest condolences to the deceased victims’ families at this time. Our thoughts are with all those injured in hopes of their complete recovery.
Head-on Collisions in California
A head-on collision can happen when a driver crosses over the centerline or when driving in the wrong direction. Head-on or wrong-way collisions are often the most dangerous crashes, especially when they occur on highways due to the high speeds.
Head-on collisions are often caused by reckless driving. Of all the potential causes of accidents, reckless driving is the number one cause of accidents in California. Reckless driving includes texting while driving, speeding, impaired driving, failing to yield or stop at traffic lights, and failing to follow the rules of the road.
Each driver owes a legal duty of care to the other drivers that they will operate their vehicle safely and responsibly to ensure the safety of others. When an accident happens, this legal duty of care has likely been breached, and they can be held liable for the resulting damages.
When a person is killed by someone else’s negligent actions, a wrongful death claim can be filed against the other party by the person’s next of kin. There are two boxes to check when you pursue a wrongful death lawsuit:
- First, you must prove that another person’s negligence or recklessness caused the wrongful death in question.
- Then, you must ensure you document all damages suffered by the surviving family members.
Thankfully, an experienced wrongful death attorney can walk you through the process of filing a claim and help you handle these essential matters.
If you have lost somebody you love at the hands of a reckless driver, speak with a legal advocate that you can trust. Please do not hesitate to contact an Orange County wrongful death 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.