Police officers in California and across the country often have difficult jobs. They face dangerous criminals and other life-threatening situations in their professional lives. Unfortunately, they are just as at risk from car and motorcycle accidents as are civilians in their personal lives. In fact, police are currently investigating a recent accident that killed an off-duty police officer.
The accident happened just after 11 p.m. one night in August. The man was reported driving his motorcycle east on a California highway. Investigators claim that a 27-year-old male driver pulled into the pathway of the motorcyclist. Unable to avoid the collision, the motorcyclist struck the front end of the car.
Police claim that the driver of the car attempted to run from the scene. However, he was soon apprehended. He now faces multiple criminal charges as a result of the car accident, including vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run.
Unfortunately, the life of a man who was willing to risk his own personal safety to protect others has been cut short, apparently through no fault of his own. While his loved ones come to terms with the grief of his loss, they must also cope with the financial consequences of his death. For example, many families in California who lose a loved one an such an unexpected manner have difficulty handling funeral expenses in addition to loss of wages. These victims of car and motorcycle accidents often pursue recompense in a civil court. If negligence can be proved — a claim that would be supported by a conviction of criminal charges — surviving family members could receive a monetary award.
Source: kcra.com, “Stockton cop killed in hit-and-run crash in Escalon“, Aug. 22, 2016