Young mother brain-dead, baby injured after pedestrian accident
Car accidents that cause life-threatening injuries to pedestrians are naturally tragic affairs. Nevertheless, some such accidents may seem more tragic than others. A 21-year-old California mother of an 11-month-old boy was declared brain-dead a few days after she and her baby were hit by an SUV in a recent pedestrian accident.
The California Highway Patrol reported that the accident occurred in a crosswalk in Oakland in the early evening of a recent Wednesday. The young mother was reportedly pushing her son in a stroller on their way back from the library, where she regularly spent time reading to him. CHP says the pair was struck by an SUV that was driven by a 22-year old woman. Police note that there was no evidence of the use of drugs or alcohol by the driver.
The mother and child were rushed to two different medical facilities, and it was reported that the mother of the brain-dead woman was considering having the life-sustaining equipment removed. At the time of the media report, the 11-month-old boy’s condition remained critical. No details were reported about the circumstances of the accident and what may have caused it. According to the CHP, the SUV driver remained at the accident scene and was cooperative. No mention was made of any charges filed at the time.
The family of the young woman who suffered critical injuries in this pedestrian accident will be entitled to pursue claims for financial relief with regard to this tragedy. If negligence by the SUV driver is found to have caused the accident, personal injury claims may be filed in a California civil court. In addition to a claim relating to the medical expenses and pain and suffering of the woman, a claim may be filed on behalf of the injured child. Should the young mother succumb to her injuries, a wrongful death claim would likely be pursued. At this point, it can only be hoped that the boy survives the injuries suffered.
Source: contracostatimes.com, “Hayward mother, 21, brain-dead after crash; infant still critical“, Natalie Neysa Alund, March 25, 2015
