It's been one year since Susanne and Charles Antuna were killed in a La Habra car crash involving a police car responding to a call. Now, after family members turned down an Orange County, California wrongful death settlement and a $100,000 offer of financial support for the couple's youngest child, who is a minor, the civil trial will go forward.
Susanne, 54, and Charles, 55, died on April 5, 2009 after Officer Nancy Garcia, who was driving a La Habra police car, hit their Chrysler PT Cruiser. A CHP report states that the lights and siren on Garcia's car were activated when it struck the couple's vehicle at a speed of at least 62 mph.
In January, the Antuna's children sued the city of La Habra for Orange County, California wrongful death. They accused Officer Garcia of willfully and consciously disregarding the safety of others on the road with him.
Last September the California Highway Patrol recommended that prosecutors charge Garcia for vehicular manslaughter. To date, no charges have been filed.
Car Crashes Involving Police Vehicles
Just because a police officer is responding to a call, in the middle of a police pursuit, or heading to an emergency site doesn't mean that the cop can disregard the safety of others. There are procedures and protocols that must be followed in order to minimize the chances of causing an Orange County, California pedestrian accident or car crash.
Unfortunately, Orange County, California traffic crashes involving police officers responding to a call or who are in the middle of pursuing a suspect are not as uncommon as we would like to think. The consequences for those involved in the chase or for those that happen to be on the road at the time can be catastrophic.
A few common causes of car accidents involving a police vehicle:
• Failure to obey safety protocols when rushing to a scene
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Disregarding traffic laws
Family rejects $100k offer in fatal police crash, OC Register, April 8, 2010
Suspect in Foot Chase Blamed for Couple's Death in Crash, NBC Los Angeles, January 7, 2010
Related Web Resources:
La Habra Police Department
Wrongful Death Claims, Nolo
