In the span of just over a week, five people lost their lives in separate traffic accidents across San Diego County, according to information released by the Medical Examiner’s Office and local authorities.
On Monday, July 28, 46-year-old Bisael Lopez Hernandez was struck and killed while landscaping along Bonita Road. A compact car veered off the road and hit him around 1:30 pm. He died at the scene.
On Sunday, July 27, 2025, 31-year-old Jorge Garcia Jr. was fatally struck by an SUV while crossing Grand Avenue in Pacific Beach. The collision happened just before 3 pm, and Garcia succumbed to his injuries before he could be transported to a hospital.
In the early hours of Saturday, July 26, 2025, 19-year-old Thom Nguyen lost control of his motorcycle on northbound I-5 near Balboa Park. After crashing into a roadside barrier, he was thrown onto the roadway and struck by a passing car. He died at the scene.
On Friday, July 25, 2025, 23-year-old Tiffany Zamora veered into the median while driving on Citracado Parkway in Escondido. Her car collided with a tree. Despite being rushed to Palomar Medical Center, she was pronounced dead later that day.
On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 87-year-old Agustina Acosta was struck by a pickup truck in a Chula Vista parking structure. The driver hit Acosta while turning a corner in the structure on H Street. She was taken to UCSD Medical Center, where she died shortly after arrival.
Each of these fatal incidents is a devastating loss for the families involved. If you or someone you love has been affected by a serious or fatal crash in the San Diego area, contact Singleton Schreiber to learn how we may be able to help.
What Can Cause Fatal Crashes Like These? Understanding Contributing Factors and Liability
The tragic incidents outlined above represent a wide range of accident types, pedestrian collisions, single-vehicle crashes, and multi-vehicle incidents. Though the details differ, many of these tragedies could involve underlying causes that warrant closer investigation.
Possible contributing factors include:
- Driver negligence, such as speeding, distraction, or impairment
- Vehicle defects, including faulty brakes, tires, or steering systems
- Road hazards or poor infrastructure, like unclear signage, dangerous curves, or inadequate pedestrian crossings
- Lack of visibility
- And more
Depending on the specific circumstances, multiple pirates could be held legally responsible:
- Drivers, if they acted negligently or failed to yield
- Vehicle manufacturers or parts suppliers, if mechanical failure played a role
- Property owners or public agencies, for maintaining unsafe roads, parking lots, or pedestrian areas
- Local or state government entities (such as the City of San Diego, County of San Diego, or Caltrans), if they failed to repair known hazards, install proper signage, or maintain safe roadway conditions
- Employers, in the case of work-related driving or company-owned vehicles
“These are heartbreaking losses for each of the families involved,” said Gerald Singleton, managing partner of Singleton Schreiber. “Whenever fatal crashes occur, it’s essential to investigate all possible causes. Families deserve answers, and they may have legal options if negligence or preventable dangers were involved.”
Legal Options for Families After Fatal Traffic Accidents
When someone is killed in a traffic accident, surviving family members may have the right to file a wrongful death claim if another party’s negligence or wrongful act contributed to the fatal incident. These claims are not limited to accidents involving multiple vehicles; they can also apply to single-vehicle crashes, pedestrian deaths, and other tragic events where someone failed to act with reasonable care.
To succeed in a wrongful death claim, families must show that their loved one’s death was caused by another party’s negligence, usually with the help of an experienced wrongful death attorney.
Through a wrongful death claim, surviving loved ones may be able to recover compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical costs related to the final injury
- Loss of financial support or future income
- Loss of companionship, care, and guidance
- Emotional pain and suffering
While no legal action can undo the heartbreak of losing a loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit can provide accountability and financial support during an incredibly difficult time.
If your family is mourning the loss of someone due to a preventable accident, the San Diego car accident attorneys at Singleton Schreiber are here to help. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.
