November 23, 2020
Five People Killed In 10-Vehicle Highway 99 Pileup
The East Bay Times reports that the five people who lost their lives in a Butte County 10-vehicle pileup have been identified by the Butte County Sheriff's Office 1:
Noah Anderson-Burdick, 18 years old, of Yuba City, CA;
Camille Bent, 20 years old, of Sierra Madre, CA;
Kira Jumper, 19 years old, of Redding, CA;
Inderpal Rajput, 61 years old, of Live Oak, CA;
John Wegner, 19 years old, of Redding, CA.
The Times explained the November 14, 2020 12:30 AM pileup involved five big rigs and five passenger vehicles. The crash occurred on Highway 99, south of Hinaman Drive, between Gridley and Biggs. Dense fog blanked the area. This means that visibility was bad. The CHP is still investigating the crash.
Gardner Law extends our most sincere condolences to the loved ones and families of the precious people who lost their lives in this accident: Noah Anderson-Burdick, Camille Bent, Kira Jumper, Inderpal Rajput, John Wegner.
Driving on Highway 99 during foggy conditions can be very dangerous. Commercial truck drivers are especially aware of this risk, but sometimes, for economic reasons, employers of commercial truck drivers put their drivers out on the road during these particularly dangerous and potentially deadly conditions.
Highway 99 runs north-south and stretches almost the entire length of the Central Valley Highway. Many parts of Highway 99 are poorly lit, or have no lighting at all. Highway 99 has the most fatal accidents per 100 miles of any highway in the United States. 2
Fog is a cloud that touches the ground. 3 Fog can be o thick that you can't see through it. If you can't see the traffic in front of you, then the person behind you probably can't see you and the person behind them probably can't see them. These layers of impaired visibility make driving in the fog particularly unsafe.
Big rig crashes can be complicated. Each trucking company will immediately begin their own investigation, in an effort to protect the trucking company and its driver. They're not looking out for you. They're looking out for themselves.
An independent investigation must be done right away, on behalf of the survivor of someone killed in these types of crashes. Things like locating and interviewing witnesses, checking the big rig driver's driving record, hiring accident reconstructionists, must be done right away. That's where the work of a skilled wrongful death attorney begins.
When a person is killed in a multi-vehicle accident, loved ones are left to grieve a very painful loss. They may also have unanticipated economic losses such as medical bills, funeral and burial costs, and other out of pocket costs. They may also suffer non-economic losses, like losing the love, companionship and advice of their loved one who passed way.
If you have recently suffered the loss of a loved one in a big rig crash, contact Gardner Law today at (408) 214-5555. Gardner Law's Attorney Renée Yvonne Gardner has experience in fighting for the loved ones left behind after a tragic and unanticipated wrongful death. Attorney Gardner will work toward having your voice heard. It's important to act quickly, to work to preserve evidence, and protect your rights in this important case.
Disclaimer: This post was created solely using secondary sources. Therefore, its information has not been verified. If any information appears to be inaccurate, please contact Gardner Law, Renee Gardner Attorney, immediately by phone, or through our online Contact form. Necessary corrections will be made.
Disclaimer: This post is not legal advice. Attorney Renee Gardner provides this post for general purposes, and to try and help the public. Victims whose loved ones have been killed as a result of the negligence of another should immediately seek legal assistance to protect their rights.
1 https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2020/11/20/5-killed-in-highway-99-weekend-crash-identified/
2 Peterson, Bailey. “The 50 Most Dangerous Roads in America”, Updated October 30, 2019. https://www.valuepenguin.com/most-dangerous-roads-america
3 https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/fog/
