Lucinda Sanchez, 55 was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after she was struck while crossing the street from an adult group home where she lived in Pico Rivera. According to a news report in the Whittier Daily News, Sanchez was in traffic lanes when she was struck and killed by a passing Ford pickup truck as she crossed the 6600 block of Rosemead Boulevard the night of October 16, 2009. Los Angeles Sheriff's Department officials said it's not clear where Sanchez was going and that she was not in a crosswalk at the time of the accident.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Lucinda Sanchez for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this woman. Please keep them in your prayers.

Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one pedestrian accident fatality in Pico Rivera, but 20 injuries involving pedestrian accidents. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 210 deaths and 5,095 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of pedestrian accidents.

Based on this news report, it is not very clear how or why this fatal accident occurred. Preliminary reports show that the woman walked into traffic lanes and was not in a crosswalk. But based on this news article, Sanchez lived in a residential facility for the mentally disabled near the accident site on Rosemead Boulevard. Apparently, neighbors have complained about residents jaywalking. The residential center is not locked down either.

Accident Liability Issues

It's not clear what kind of a residential facility this one is, but it seems they need to assume some degree of responsibility for the mentally disabled patients who live there. Are they properly supervised? Why is the facility not locked down? Why are residents allowed to wander away from the home? Something doesn't sound quite right here.

If I were a member of Sanchez's family, I would be talking to an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who has the skill and the resources to conduct an independent investigation and determine how or why this tragedy occurred. A skilled lawyer will also look into whether any dangerous conditions existed on that roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this fatal collision. If that was the case, the city could be held liable. Any claim against a governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.

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.