|
A San Diego intersection notorious for producing dangerous accidents has claimed another victim following a collision involving a driver running through a red light and plowing into another vehicle traveling in a perpendicular direction. According to witnesses on the scene and El Cajon Police Department Lieutenant Frank La Haye, the crash took place last Friday, May 10, just before 6:30 a.m. in the intersection of East Washington and South Mollison avenues in the city of El Cajon, where an Acura Integra sedan traveling eastward ran through a stop light and crashed into a Chevrolet Sonic subcompact car, knocking the car onto its side. Upon seeing the crash, David Daoud, who was driving behind the Sonic, jumped out of his vehicle to offer assistance to the driver inside, 36 year old El Cajon resident Michelle Hay. Unfortunately, Hay’s injures proved too severe, and she died at the scene. “All I can see is her face, it’s a horrible thing,” he said to reporters. “You wish you can help that woman and you can’t and that bothers me.” Paramedics meanwhile rushed the red light runner, an unidentified woman of 43, to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries not believed to be life threatening. She is expected to recover and be released. A preliminary investigation into the accident suggests that neither speeding nor intoxication were contributing factors. Police have now launched a more thorough investigation involving witness interviews and an examination of the two vehicles to determine what may have caused the woman to run through the red light. At the crash site, it was also discovered that Hay was not wearing a seat belt at the time of accident. “This woman ran a red light and [Michelle] didn’t have her seat belt on and she always wears her seat belt,” said Dreama Hay, Michelle’s mother, who was destroyed by the news of her daughter’s passing. Michelle’s aunt added that she was “a fun loving homebody; didn’t drink, full of life, she loved her nephew and she would love all this drama on the news right now because she was a drama queen.” For residents in the area, the accident is an all too common incident. Red light cameras, which were installed at the intersection to discourage red light running, have since been taken down, causing serious concerns for motorists, including Daoud. “I’ve seen a lot of accidents before the cameras, after the cameras, and there will be more accidents to come if they don’t do something about it.” Dreama Hay added her own frustration at the lack of red light cameras, suggesting that had they been in place, the accident killing her daughter could have been avoided. “Yes I’m very upset. I don’t think they should have done it in the first place; now I really don’t think they should have done it.” Following this most recent accident fatality, local residents like Jayne Alfaro who calls the intersection “four death corners” are hopeful that much needed safety improvements will finally be implemented. Added cameras and traffic infrastructure can only go so far however, as drivers in the area will also need to make a commitment to paying close attention through the intersection. As is the case at all times, when approaching an intersection, it is essential to obey the traffic signals and stop signs in place, and ensure that the way is clear before making your way into the intersection, lest a dangerous accident like this occur. At AA Accident Attorneys, we can help those who have suffered injuries in a crash get back onto their feet quickly, and have a car accident lawyer to represent you in cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside.
Related Articles -
car accident, running red light,
|
