A 35-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman were killed in a San Francisco area car accident when the Chevrolet Monte Carlo they were in ran a red light and struck a Dodge Durango. According to a news report in The San Francisco Chronicle, the fatal car accident occurred at the intersection of Fremont Boulevard and Delaware Street in Fremont, the afternoon of January 23, 2012. Officials say the Chevy driver made a number of quick turns in an attempt to avoid police, shortly before running through a red light and hitting the Dodge, which in turn struck a Ford F-150 pickup. The Chevrolet continued after the collision and came to rest in a flood control canal.

The man and woman killed in the crash were in the Chevrolet. It is not clear if either was the driver. Two other people in the car, a 30-year-old man and woman were hospitalized with injuries as well. The driver of the Dodge, a 42-year-old Fremont man sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The driver and passenger in the Ford were not hurt.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of the two people killed in this tragic Alameda County car accident. My thoughts and prayers are also with the many injured victims of this collision.

Alameda Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), seven people were killed and 710 were injured in Fremont car accidents. In Alameda County as a whole, there were 62 fatalities and 6,337 injuries reported due to car accidents, during that same year.

What Caused This Intersection Accident?

This news report raises many questions. Why did the driver attempt to avoid the traffic stop in the first place? Was the driver under the influence of alcohol or violating the law in any way? Based on this news report, the driver of the Chevrolet did run through a red light right before he crashed.

California Vehicle Code Section 21453 (a) states: "A driver facing a circular red signal shall stop at the limit line before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown."

Liability Issues

In cases involving negligence or wrongdoing, the at-fault driver can be held responsible for the medical bills, lost future wages, loss of companionship, and other related damages. Victims' families and injured victims in such cases would be well advised to contact an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.

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