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Fresno Head-On Collision Between Truck and Jeep Turns Fatal

aftermath of a tow truck accident with fatalities

Two people were killed on Highway 180 on April 25, 2023 in Eastern Fresno County when a Jeep and a truck collided head-on. A man was driving his Jeep Liberty east on Highway 180 at about 11:20 a.m. with a passenger in the vehicle; they were between Alta and Frankwood avenues.

aftermath of a tow truck accident with fatalities

According to California Highway Patrol, the Jeep was traveling at a high rate of speed, and the driver allowed it to cross over center yellow lines. At that moment, a Chevrolet truck towing a utility trailer was passing, carrying a man and two children, aged 16 and 4.

Both of the people in the Jeep died, the driver being ejected from his seat because he was unrestrained (not wearing a seatbelt). The woman who was the passenger in the jeep suffered critical injuries and was flown to Community Regional Medical Center. She later died as a result of her injuries.

The driver of the truck suffered more moderate injuries and the two minors were not injured at all. They were all taken to CRMC for observation as well, and Highway 180 was closed while CHP and others investigated the crash. Photos of the incident showed the truck damaged and debris all over the road.

This is one of several Fresno truck crashes that have occurred in the last few weeks, and statistics even show that truck collisions and truck collision deaths are far more frequent in Fresno than in almost any other part of California.

“Two people lost their lives, and it’s a terrible tragedy,” said Singleton Schreiber Managing Partner Gerald Singleton. “It’s disturbing that this keeps happening in Fresno, and while we’re grateful the children were uninjured, they still had to be involved in a terrible tragedy that will surely scar them for life mentally.”

Singleton Schreiber’s Fresno truck and Jeep accident attorneys can be reached at 559-702-0846 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

Fresno Truck Collisions

In the heart of the Central Valley, Fresno is an agricultural community that sees all kinds of trucks that transport crops, dairy products, farming equipment and more. These large trucks can be a hazard if they aren’t driven and maintained properly. In this Jeep and truck crash, the Jeep was traveling at high speeds while the truck was towing a utility trailer that made it heavier and quite likely harder to maneuver. Even if the truck driver was well aware of the danger ahead, it may have been too difficult to steer out of the way.

According to traffic statistics, Fresno truck accidents and truck accident deaths jumped up from 2020 to 2021. In 2020, which included months of business closures due to Covid, there were 188 truck crashes in Fresno and 24 people died from truck crashes. In 2021, There were 240 truck crashes, although the truck wrongful deaths dropped to 20. Still, that means 10% of track crashes in Fresno ended with someone dying. That percentage is three times lower in larger metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles.

Fresno Wrongful Deaths and Trucks

Head-on truck collisions in Fresno and the rest of the central valley are unfortunately not uncommon, and the stats and media reports bear that out. This past December, a 45-year-old woman was killed in a head-on crash involving a big rig in Hanford, just south of Fresno. This happened on Highway 43. There was a rollover crash in north Fresno in January that seriously injured a man. Just a few days ago, a 34-year-old Fresno man died after he was ejected from his 2016 Honda when a truck struck him while making a left-turn. These types of fatal truck accidents in Fresno are far too common, and often quite deadly.

Reasons for Fresno Truck Accidents

Truck accidents happen for all kinds of reasons:

  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Poorly maintained vehicles
  • Negligent drivers
  • Sleepy drivers
  • And much more

Often, the passengers in each vehicle as well as one of the drivers is completely innocent of any dangerous or illegal behavior. However, as in this case, the consequences of a Fresno truck crash can be deadly.

“No one will know the thought process of the Jeep Liberty driver who was traveling at high speeds,” said the Fresno truck crash attorney Gerald Singleton. “But we do know that the driver and passengers in the truck survived and may have long-term medical and therapy bills to cope with. We also know the Jeep driver and passenger are no longer with us, and their families must now cope with this terrible tragedy.”

Drivers, passengers and the loved ones of those injured in a Fresno County truck accident should contact Singleton Schreiber at 559-702-0846 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

Fatal Rollover Crash Takes Two Lives in San Diego County

multi-car accident, rolled car

At approximately 3:12 PM on Sunday April 23, 2023, there was a fatal crash on the I-15 Freeway just north of State Route 76. According to California Highway Patrol, the accident took place in the Fallbrook/Pala Mesa area near Bonsal, and cost one adult female and a “very young juvenile” their lives.

multi-car accident, rolled car

The multi-car collision involved a black truck that flipped over, landing on its roof as well as a white Tesla sedan and a black sedan. Smoke was seen coming out of the black sedan after the crash. The pickup truck was allegedly traveling on a road that was adjacent to the southbound 15 when the truck left the roadway, drove through the fence and entered southbound lanes of traffic. The truck immediately struck the Tesla and black sedan.

CHP officers were on the scene quickly, and the southbound side of the 15 Freeway was still closed several hours later. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office was called to the scene at 3:37 PM. Reports are unclear as to which vehicle the fatality occurred in. Unfortunately, the accident caused further traffic chaos as several vehicles drove the wrong way on the shoulder and into the center divider to get clear of the mess, and some of those drivers were apparently driving aggressively to find an alternative route. The slowdown impacted a 12-mile stretch of the freeway in San Diego.

The specific ages of the deceased individuals were not immediately released, according to Captain John Choi of the North County Fire Protection District. In addition to the two deceased individuals, four other people were hurt. There was a toxicology test done, but the final report was not yet available. The pickup driver was one of the injured individuals and was taken to an area hospital with injuries that were described as life-threatening.

“This type of crash is awful, shocking and unimaginable,” said Gerald Singleton, Managing Partner of Singleton Schreiber. “The infant and woman whose lives are forever lost make this a truly tragic day.”

Singleton Schreiber San Diego truck accident attorneys can be reached at 619-367-7768 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

Fallbrook and Pala Mesa Truck Accident Attorneys

Truck accidents and rollover truck accidents in Fallbrook, Pala Mesa and throughout San Diego County are potentially deadly situations. They can result in traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, severe spinal cord injuries and much more. The 15 Freeway is a major corridor for trucks of all kinds because it connects San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and even Las Vegas, Nevada. Pickup trucks, 18-wheelers and other types of trucks travel the 15 on a daily, even hourly, basis.

While the results of the toxicology report from this crash have yet to be made public, driving under the influence of alcohol or some other substance (such as marijuana, illegal narcotics and even prescription medication) is one potential cause. However, there are several other potential causes for these types of truck and car accidents, including:

  • Driver fatigue or distraction
  • Failure to check blind spots
  • Unsafe merging or lane changing
  • Illegal U-turns
  • Defective parts
  • Mechanical failures
  • Negligent truck maintenance
  • and much more

According to one news report, the truck jumped from a service lane onto the freeway, which could have also meant the road was in some way defective or that the truck was involved in a separate collision that led to this crash.

For the survivors of the woman and the infant, the next steps will be extremely difficult. Family members will hopefully first focus on mourning their loss, but issues of insurance, the cost of funeral expenses, talking to law enforcement officials and more are often a difficult part of this process.

San Diego Pickup Truck Accidents

The cars and truck(s) involved in this accident are hopefully all insured, but that creates other challenges. Each insurer will conduct its own investigation into the incident and will talk to their San Diego truck accident attorney to determine fault. With so many vehicles involved, it may be a long fight to determine liability. The truck driver, other vehicles, and auto parts manufacturers will all be looked at. If any of these vehicles were being driven for work, for example if the pickup driver was hauling goods or performing a service, this will also factor into the investigation.

“Investigating truck accidents is never easy, and when there are deaths involved it makes everything truly awful for the people involved,” said San Diego truck accident lawyer Gerald Singleton. “When our firm helps people involved in these kinds of situations, our first goal is to help comfort them and handle as much of the burden as possible so they can focus on helping their family cope with the loss and heal.”

Singleton Schreiber attorneys can be reached at 619-367-7768 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

SD Home Fire Leaves Three Dead and One Injured

smoke detector alarm during home fire

On April 21, 2023, three people were found dead, and one person injured in a fire that erupted through a home in the El Cajon area on North Anza Street near Broadway. The people were identified as Marilyn Trumper, Herman Trumper, and Ian Trumper. Robbie Trumper managed to survive the flames.

smoke detector alarm during home fire

Authorities arrived within minutes of the blaze being reported to find the home engulfed in flames. Clouds of smoke were seen escaping from the charred home, and the fire quickly spreading to a nearby power pole. A video of the blaze was captured and put online, shocking El Cajon homeowners.

Two people were pulled from the home by firefighters, both dying soon after being rushed to the hospital. A third victim was found suffering from smoke inhalation, the man was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Firefighters from San Miguel, Heartland, and Lakeside fire departments all responded to the scene. The fire crews also found a fourth victim while putting out the remaining flames of the home. Marylin tragically died during the initial incident inside the home; the victims were all believed to be adults.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, along with details pertaining to a damage estimate. The home is considered destroyed and unsalvageable, two vehicles were also damaged in the fire. Burn patterns were analyzed by the sheriff’s bomb/arson unit and they spoke with witnesses to best determine what led to the home’s demise.

Gerald Singleton of Singleton Schreiber said, “The news of this fire is awful, our condolences and greatest sympathies are with the families of those that lost their lives or were found injured.”

Singleton Schreiber home fire damage attorneys can be reached at 619-367-7768 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

El Cajon Home Fires

Home fires can be all too common, and residents of El Cajon and the rest of San Diego have seen fires start from seemingly “safe” activities. This can occur because products in the home can be defective, materials in the home can be unknowingly flammable, or the house itself can be poorly designed.

Home fires can occur due to the following reasons:

  • Cooking-related fires – Cooking fires are known to be the most common occurrence for house fires causing close to 49% of all residential fires. Often caused by grease being overheated on the stove or within the oven.
  • Heating appliances – Home space heaters and baseboard heaters can cause fires when fabric or materials are left too close to them.
  • Electrical fires – Various types of electrical faults in home wiring can be the cause of home fires due to short circuits or loose connections causing sparks that unfortunately ignite building materials.
  • Smoking – Fires from cigarettes and smoking materials have the potential of igniting fires from cigarette butts dropped on furniture, carpeting, or other flammable materials.
  • Candles – The matches and lighters used to light candles are known to be dangerous if left in a place where children can reach them and can lead to harmful fires.
  • Chemical fires – Residential chemical fires occur commonly when volatile vapors from gasoline and other petroleum liquids reach a flash-point temperature or when the fumes contact a source of open flame.

In 2008, California passed a building code which required that California “fire-prone” regions have fire-resistant roofs, siding, and other safeguards. However, not every builder or construction company follows these codes, and houses built before 2008 may not have been brought up to code properly.

San Diego Home Fire Insurance

When these fires occur, families often turn to their first line of defense – their homeowner’s insurance. Unfortunately, this often begins a long, drawn-out claims process that can end in headaches and heartache. There are numerous stories of San Diego homeowners losing their homes to a fire, only to begin a years-long wrestling match with a billion or trillion-dollar insurance company.

In El Cajon and all East County, some residents live in unsafe homes due to the materials developers chose to build them with. So, for families that suffer a home fire, they may have claims against developers, contractors, or insurance companies. But, finding a San Diego home fire attorney who can help them get the justice they need is not easy.

El Cajon Wrongful Death Fire Cases

In this instance, with three people losing their lives, the tragedy is immense. The survivor, Robbie Trumper, was a surviving grandson. Ian Trumper was a biological grandson who had been adopted by Marilyn and Herman Trumper. This family will never be the same, and any of their surviving children and grandchildren must now face the awful question “what now?”

“Many unknowing individuals are faced with immeasurable tragedies due to home fires across the state of California,” said Mr. Singleton. “My hope is that people who have lost loved ones find the legal assistance they need to get the justice they deserve.”

Those who have been injured in East County, El Cajon, or anywhere in San Diego in home fires, can contact Singleton Schreiber at 619-367-7768 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

Man Dies in Fatal Fresno Truck Crash

deployed and deflated airbag after truck accident

A truck crash turned fatal in a rural part of Fresno, CA when a driver ran a stop sign and crashed into another truck.

According to the Fresno Bee, a Ford truck on Manning Avenue approached James Road, just southwest of Tranquility at roughly 9:30 in the morning. A service truck was headed north on James Road, but the driver did not stop at the stop sign and, according to CHP, collided with the Ford, which did not have a stop sign.

deployed and deflated airbag after truck accident

The service truck hit the passenger side of the Ford truck, where a man in his 40’s was seated. The truck veered into a field, and CHP said the passenger in the Ford was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Ford truck suffered only moderate injuries, and the driver of the service truck was not injured. CHP reported that neither driver was suspected of being impaired.

“Truck crashes in Fresno and throughout California are notoriously dangerous,” said Singleton Schreiber partner Brett Schreiber. “Our hearts go out to this man’s relatives and loved ones, as their lives have completely changed today.”

This is the second fatal truck crash in as many weeks in Fresno. Roughly 1 week ago, Amaya Chenot was killed in a tow truck accident when it ran a red light. That incident was caught on camera and uploaded to YouTube on a channel highlighting how dangerous certain intersections can be in Fresno.

Singleton Schreiber can be reached at 559-702-0846 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

Fresno Truck Accident Deaths

Because Fresno, CA is home to a farming community, there are a number of large trucks driving around the area on a regular basis. This glut of trucks, which includes 18-wheelers, service trucks, tow trucks, pickup trucks, and more, can create dangerous driving conditions. The large number of trucks coupled with hazardous intersections makes Fresno residents particularly vulnerable to truck accident deaths.

Common causes of truck accidents include distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding and reckless driving, running red traffic signals and stop signs, wrong way driving, and more. In this instance, a stop sign either wasn’t seen or wasn’t obeyed, and because of this a man lost his life.

Just How Dangerous Are Trucks in Fresno?

The average pickup can weigh 3,000 – 6,000 pounds. A service truck, such as the one involved in this accident, can weigh 10,000 pounds at a minimum. Added together, that’s at least 8 tons of metal and fiberglass traveling at potentially high speeds during the collision.
In part because of the high volume of trucks on the road, Fresno has an undue number of truck accident deaths, especially when compared to much larger, much more congested areas of California. In 2020 and 2021, there were a total of 44 deaths resulting from truck crashes in Fresno. With a total of 428 truck accidents during that two-year period, more than 10% of those truck collisions resulted in fatalities. In Los Angeles County, that number is less than 3%, even with a population that’s 9 million+ larger.

Fresno Stop Sign Truck Crash

For the family and friends of the man who perished, the next steps will be very difficult. Police and authorities will have to do an investigation, which may include an autopsy. Being a man in his 40’s, he may have had a family to care for, making it difficult for them to figure out how to grieve his death and put their lives back together as best they can.
Stop sign collisions in Fresno and throughout California are extremely dangerous, and often deadly. Drivers are urged to drive slowly and cautiously, even if they have the right of way. In this instance, the man who died wasn’t even driving the vehicle, he was merely a passenger in a truck that was obeying the laws.

“Vehicle accidents are dangerous enough, but when a truck is added into the mix, the potential for a fatality goes up exponentially,” Mr. Schreiber added. “Drivers are urged to take proper precautions, and when necessary, hire a Fresno truck accident attorney who understands the law and how to help a family examine their rights under the law.”

Anyone who has been injured, or who knows someone who has been injured in Fresno County truck accidents, can contact Singleton Schreiber at 559-702-0846 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

Farmington New Mexico Police Shoot, Kill Wrong Man

Police tape and barricade crime scene with cars after incident

In a potential case of police brutality, a shocking video was release showing Farmington New Mexico police officers shooting and killing 52-year-old Robert Dotson because the police were at the wrong address.

As reported in the Daily Mail, the bodycam footage shows an unimaginable series of events where Farmington Police showed up to the wrong address for a domestic abuse call, recognized they were at the wrong address, laughed about the situation, then shot and killed the resident of the house they were at before also shooting at his widow.

Police tape and barricade crime scene with cars after incident

On April 5, police officers from Farmington, NM were called out in a domestic situation and were apparently supposed to go to 5308 Valley View Avenue, however they wound up going to 5305 Valley View Avenue which is across the street. Officers knocked on the door of the wrong address as they realized they were at the wrong house. Officers announced themselves and can be heard confused and laughing as they realized they were at the wrong house, although it is unclear who in the police department (the officers or dispatch) got the address wrong.

The following series of events proved deadly, as Robert Dotson became the unwitting and innocent victim of a police shooting.

“Mistakes like this are completely unacceptable and those who make them must be held accountable,” said attorney Brian S. Colón, Managing Partner of Singleton Schreiber’s New Mexico offices. “Having been involved in multiple use of deadly force cases, I am confident better judgment was required.”

Singleton Schreiber attorneys can be reached at (505) 270-2154 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

Farmington New Mexico Police Shooting

After realizing their error, the three officers began discussing the mistake and then walked away from the front door. While the officers prepared to leave, Mr. Dotson appeared at the door with a gun raised toward the officers who panicked. The officers pulled their guns quickly, shooting and killing Mr. Dotson. Minutes later, Mr. Dotson’s now-widow began screaming and also appears at the door with a firearm. She fired her weapon at officers who returned fire.

Once the widow, Kimberly Dotson, realized it was police at the door, they put the gun down and complied with their commands. Thankfully, she was uninjured and was not charged with any crime. Officers involved in shooting and killing Richard Dotson were not identified but were said to be uninjured, and all three were placed on administrative leave. The incident happened around 11:30 PM.

According to reports, two of the officers were on the force for roughly five years, the other was on the force for roughly three years. At a press conference, Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe was unable to offer any explanation as to why this tragedy occurred.

Police Shootings and Police Brutality in Farmington New Mexico

An NPR report shows New Mexico ranks second in the country for police shootings per capita. In 2022, there were 32 people killed by police. In a state with 2.1 million people, that’s roughly 15 people per million. That’s second only to Wyoming. While Mr. Dotson was Caucasian, statistics show lethal force is even more frequent for black residents of New Mexico.

The police shooting in Farmington led to calls for statewide police reform, as well as better training for young officers. The Albuquerque Police Department has had historic difficulties with officers’ judgment in use-of-force situations. It was even investigated by the U.S. Justice Department for an apparent pattern of excessive force.

While this incident took place in Farmington, NM, Albuquerque Police have shot and killed more than 40 people since 2015. For cities with more than 500,000 residents, Albuquerque ranks second only to Las Vegas in fatal police shootings, higher than Los Angeles, Baltimore, San Francisco and New York City.

While there is an ongoing internal investigation, it’s possible the officers could face criminal charges for their behavior. In addition, there could be civil litigation over the wrongful death police shooting by these Farmington police officers.

“Our attorneys are fierce advocates for victims every day and will always champion justice in these types of tragedies,” Mr. Colón added.

Mr. Dotson is survived by his wife and at least one son.

Singleton Schreiber can be reached at (505) 240-8565 or email at info@singletonschreiber.com.

SD Megachurch Pastor James MacDonald Arrested for Assault

Police Yellow Tape, Crime Scene Assault

A disgraced megachurch pastor, James MacDonald, was arrested and charged in San Diego with felony assault and battery. According to police, the alleged incident occurred in Coronado, CA where MacDonald allegedly attacked a 59-year-old woman named Bara Bass which resulted in her suffering “serious injuries.”

The criminal complaint was filed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s office, which charged James MacDonald with one charge of assault by means “likely to produce great bodily injury” as well as a count of battery.

Police Yellow Tape, Crime Scene Assault

The complaint states that former Pastor James MacDonald caused “great bodily injury” upon Barbara Bass, and that MacDonald’s behavior “willfully and unlawfully” used force and violence against her. Although he pled not guilty, with felony charges such as these, MacDonald faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

“These allegations are extremely disturbing,” said Singleton Schreiber Managing Partner Gerald Singleton. “No woman should ever have to suffer this type of outrageous attack.”

This incident allegedly occurred on March 22 and was reported on at the time by the Coronado Police Department.

Singleton Schreiber assault and battery injury and personal injury attorneys can be reached at 619-367-7768 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

James MacDonald San Diego Assault And Battery Charges

According to police reports, the incident happened when MacDonald struck a parked vehicle while attempting to parallel park. The person in the car in front of him, Ms. Bass, got out of the car to talk to him, at which point MacDonald apparently jumped out of his truck and proceeded to attack her.

As a result of this attack, Ms. Bass, who’d committed no crime or done anything to provoke the man, suffered serious injuries and was transported to the hospital.

This is not James MacDonald’s first run in with allegations of abuse. He was kicked out of Harvest Bible Chapel in the Chicago area for his harmful behavior. He was accused of bullying, spiritual abuse, financial misconduct, as well as vulgar behavior and language. MacDonald was caught on a hot mic making a joke about planting child pornography on the computer of a Christian media executive. There was also a report that MacDonald’s former bodyguard had been asked by MacDonald to find a hitman to kill someone.

According to Christianity Today, elders at Harvest Bible Chapel stated James MacDonald was “biblically disqualified” from ministry after his behavior came to light.

Serious San Diego Assault and Battery Injury

After MacDonald’s truck struck the parked vehicle, witnesses had to come to Barbara Bass’ aid to defend her and stop MacDonald from leaving the area. When officers arrived at the scene of the crime, they found a “stolen gun” inside his truck, although the ownership of the gun is under question.

MacDonald was booked into San Diego Central Jail and released on $35,000 bail that same day. He was arraigned a week later and is scheduled to appear once again for a readiness hearing on June 14.

Violent crimes such as assault and battery, are often much lower in San Diego than in the national crime rate.  According to sources, San Diego averages roughly 269 assaulted per 100,000 people, below the 283/100,000 that is the national average.

Assault and battery are actually two separate crimes. Assault is considered an attempt to use force or violence against another person. The actual use of that force or violence is considered to be battery. Charges involving these two crimes, which can either be charged as felonies or misdemeanors, often involve fear of physical harm, threats, use of intimidation and more. If/when a weapon is used in these sorts of crimes, it is considered “assault with a deadly weapon” which can carry even further jail time.

In San Diego, being convicted of assault could lead to far-reaching consequences. It can go onto a person’s criminal record, could impact renting or buying a home, could make it difficult to get a job, impact a professional license and much more.

“The criminal complaint states that the victim suffered injuries because this man behaved like a thug,” Mr. Singleton added. “If the prosecution can prove these allegations, he should go to prison.”

Those who have been injured in San Diego assault and battery incidents can contact Singleton Schreiber at 619-367-7768 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

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