Teen charged after hit and run kills pedestrian in California

A California teenager faces criminal charges after a fatal car accident involving a pedestrian in San Leandro on June 18. The 18-year-old male from Hayward was charged on June 27 for the accident that took place at the intersection of Thronally Drive and Hesperian Boulevard.

The pedestrian accident occurred at around 9 a.m., when a 26-year-old woman was crossing the street. A probable cause report written by a San Leandro police officer, reported that the teen ran a red light in his Toyota pickup truck, while traveling at a high speed, and hit the woman. She was taken to a hospital, but later succumbed to her injuries.

After the accident, the teen driver fled the scene. His truck was found on June 19, and he turned himself in later. He faces a misdemeanor charge for vehicular manslaughter and a felony charge for leaving the scene of an accident. The Hayward teen is being held without bail at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, and the officer’s probable cause report said that the teen’s actions indicated a disregard for public safety and were negligent.

Negligence can occur when a driver disregards the safety of others on the road and an accident happens that causes injuries to someone else. Speeding and running a red light are two examples of negligence that could lead a victim or a victim’s family to seek compensation in court. Pedestrian injuries can be especially serious, since an individual does not have much protection against a vehicle. When a pedestrian suffers severe injuries, the responsible driver may be liable for the victim’s medical costs and other damages that have been incurred.