The suspect motorist faces one felony count of hit-and-run resulting in death or injury, police say
SANTA ROSA, CA, (August 01, 2024) - The 33-year-old pedestrian admitted to a hospital in critical condition after a Santa Rosa hit-and-run crash on Aug. 1 has succumbed to injuries, according to police.
Mahlon Weaver, 33, died nearly two weeks after being severely injured in a hit-and-run collision along Hearn Avenue in Santa Rosa, according to police.
Mahlon Weaver died nearly two weeks after the crash on Hearn Avenue at the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit tracks.
Based on preliminary reports, the Santa Rosa resident was crossing Hearn around 9:40 p.m. when he was hit by a car traveling west. The driver, reportedly behind the wheel of a white 2014 Lexus IS250, fled the scene. However, he was later arrested on charges of one felony count of hit-and-run resulting in death or injury.
No additional information about the crash was immediately available.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Failure to remain on the collision site can attract criminal charges, and the victim can also pursue a case against the driver.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (COTS), in 2018, around 893 pedestrians were killed on California roadways, a 26% increase from 2014.
“Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a pedestrian accident case and prove negligence,” said Candice Bond, an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney and a Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
Added Bond, the national analyst for The Legal Advocate, “The driver always has to take great care behind the wheel.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of Mahlon Weaver may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal.
“A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that the victim's legal rights and best interests are protected.”
If your loved one has been killed by a hit-and-run 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).