The suspect driver faces multiple charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter, officials say
LAKE ELSINORE, CA, (September 05, 2024) - A 57-year-old man pushing a shopping cart along state Route 74 in Lake Elsinore was fatally struck by a suspected drunk driver, according to authorities.
Desmond Gallagher, 57, was struck and killed by an allegedly impaired driver while pushing a shopping cart on state Route 74 in Lake Elsinore Thursday night, according to authorities.
The crash happened around 9:27 p.m. on Thursday west of Ardenwood Way.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a 2018 Nissan Versa reportedly made an unsafe turn and crashed into the pedestrian, identified as Lake Elsinore resident Desmond Gallagher. The motorist fled the scene but was later arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, felony hit-and-run, and gross vehicular manslaughter.
Tragically, Gallagher died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.
Anyone with information about the crash was urged to call 951-466-4300.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
GHSA projects there were 6,721 pedestrian deaths in 2020, up 4.8 percent from the 6,412 deaths reported in 2019.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2016, 10,497 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.
Candice Bond, an experienced DUI accident attorney, was interviewed and provided her thoughts on incidents such as this one.
“Separate from criminal charges, a victim’s family may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal and national analyst for Newsline.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of the investigation, the family of Desmond Gallagher may be entitled to a wrongful death claim for medical and funeral expenses, the loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in a person's death,” said Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal.
“When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, a hit-and-run, or driving under the influence, family members are usually left with the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist.”
If your loved one has been killed by a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, please contact our national legal analysts Candice Bond and Stefano Formica today
(Candice Bond, Managing Partner, and Stefano Formica, Of Counsel, at Bond Legal, are the national legal analysts for Newsline. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).