08/27/2010 // San Francisco, CA, USA // Mary Alexander // Mary Alexander
San Jose, CA (Bay Area Accident Attorney News)—A California Highway Patrol (CHP) chase took a turn for the worse when the driver of a vehicle being pursued violently crashed his car into another motorist’s vehicle. The accident occurred in downtown San Jose on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 and left six people injured, including three minors. While the eluding driver attempted to flee the scene on foot after the initial impact, a CHP trooper eventually managed to arrest him. The culprit, identified as 24-year-old Bernardino Cuevas, apparently had an outstanding felony warrant prior to the pursuit, according to information provided by the Mercury News.
Reports indicated Cuevas made an illegal right turn at a traffic light located at the base of the 11th Street off ramp of northbound Interstate 280. A sign indicating that drivers are prohibited from making turns at red lights was posted, though Cuevas ignored it. While the offence prompted a patrolling CHP officer to activate his lights in an attempt to pull the driver over, Cuevas’ Honda Civic quickly accelerated. The unidentified CHP trooper began following the speeding vehicle until Cuevas ran a red light at San Fernando Street. Upon doing so, Cuevas’ Civic broadsided a southbound Mitsubishi Mirage. Cuevas stepped out of his damaged vehicle and made his second attempt at escape. However, the CHP officer eventually caught up with the hit-and-run driver, subsequently apprehending him.
Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel seemingly responded to the scene to rush those injured in the wreck to area hospitals. Cuevas, along with a 24-year-old woman who had been riding in the Honda at the time, suffered minor to moderate injuries. The 25-year-old female driver of the Mitsubishi also suffered non life-threatening injuries. Her children, on the other hand, suffered serious injuries. A 15-year-old girl who was ejected onto the roadway after the wreck was listed in critical condition. The motor vehicle collision (MVC) left her 12-year-old brother hospitalized in stable but critical condition as well. Additionally, a 6-year-old boy suffered injuries, though reports did not specify whether they were life threatening. According to distraught witness Betty Haver, “This is the worst accident that I had ever seen… I can’t believe she was so young. I can still see her lying on the street.”
“Vehicle pursuit for us is a constant evaluation of risk versus gain, and if at any point the risk outweighs the benefit of capture we will cancel that pursuit… From my understanding this pursuit was brief,” CHP Sgt. Trent Cross said.
A full investigation to determine whether the CHP trooper’s decision to pursue Cuevas’ car significantly contributed to the San Jose wreck was expected to be underway.
Leading San Francisco injury lawyer Mary Alexander, states if you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. With more than 25 years of experience litigating the multifaceted personal injury claims of accident victims and their families, contacting Bay Area accident attorney Mary Alexander may help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
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