The situation of hit-and-run victims in Southern California, particularly highlighted by the cases of Gumercindo Gonzales and an unnamed elderly man, sheds light on a distressing trend. Gumercindo Gonzales, at the age of 72, was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in Carson, California.
This occurred on January 10, 2024, when a dark gray sedan, performing a U-turn, hit him while he was using the crosswalk at Santa Fe Avenue and East Dominguez Street. He remains in critical condition.
In a separate incident on January 18, an elderly man was tragically killed in North Hollywood. He was hit by a white sedan traveling northbound on Vineland Avenue, just north of Vanowen Street. The driver of the white sedan did not stop to render aid and continued to speed away from the scene.
These incidents are part of a larger, concerning trend in California. A study conducted by Suzuki Law Offices, which examined data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration between 2017 and 2021, found that California has the highest total number of fatal hit-and-run incidents in the United States.
During this period, out of 18,137 fatal crashes in California, 1,901 (10.48%) involved hit-and-run drivers. This percentage is significantly higher than the national average of 6.33%.
The impact of these hit-and-run incidents is profound and far-reaching, leaving families of the victims in a state of immense grief and turmoil. They are left to cope not only with the loss and trauma but also with the lack of accountability and closure due to the drivers fleeing the scene.
The families and communities affected by these tragedies are urging anyone with information to come forward. Their appeals highlight the importance of community responsibility and solidarity in the face of such injustices, emphasizing that no family should endure such pain and that bringing the perpetrators to justice is crucial
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