Sunday morning on September 1st, 2024, 81-year-old Augustine Youhanna Sana was tragically struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while walking home from church in El Cajon, California.
The accident occurred at the intersection of Jamacha Road and Brabham Street, just blocks from his home.
Witnesses reported that Sana had just entered the crosswalk when a speeding gold Toyota sedan made a sharp turn, hitting him. The driver stopped briefly, blamed the victim for the collision, and then fled the scene.
Sana was rushed to the hospital where he later died from a brain bleed.
Authorities are seeking information about the driver, described as a bald man, around 5’5”, and driving a mid-2000s Toyota sedan with faded gold paint.
What Are Common Reasons for Hit-and-Run Accidents?
Hit-and-run accidents are unfortunately fairly common in San Diego. There are several factors that may contribute to causing hit-and-run accidents that involve pedestrians, including:
- Driver Responsibility Avoidance: some drivers may flee the scene in an effort to avoid the legal consequences associated with striking a pedestrian. This may happen particularly in cases of drivers being uninsured, intoxicated, or driving without a valid license.
- Fear of Arrest: in cases where drivers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or in other situations that may lead to arrest, their fear of being arrested can be the motivator for why they leave the scene.
- Distracted Driving: when distracted drivers hit a pedestrian, they may be so distracted that they do not even realize they hit someone which may cause them to fail to stop and provide assistance.
“Hit-and-run accidents are especially dangerous for pedestrians due to the delay in receiving the medical assistance they need,” says attorney Brett Schreiber of Singleton Schreiber. “This delay can cause injuries to be more life-threatening. Additionally, in cases where there are no witnesses who can quickly call for help, victims may be left for long periods of time without the emergency care they need. Fatal hit-and-run accidents are especially heartbreaking as most of the time they could have been completely avoided.”
The severity of pedestrian injuries in hit-and-run cases is typically higher, due to the lack of immediate aid.
Legal Considerations for the Victim’s Family
In this tragic case of Augustin Youhannah Sana, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver in El Cajon, his family may have legal options available to them to pursue justice.
Families of victims in fatal hit-and-run accidents may choose to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party, where they may seek compensation for any medical bills their loved one acquired while receiving life-saving treatment before dying, funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, emotional suffering, and other damages caused by the loss of a loved one.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a hit-and-run accident, contact the team at Singleton Schreiber today to learn more about your options. Call (619) 771-3473 or email at info@singletonschreiber.com to schedule your free consultation and get started today.
