The pedestrian was transported to an area hospital with major injuries, officials say
VACAVILLE, CA, (September 24, 2024) - A pedestrian was severely injured following a hit-and-run crash in the Vaca Valley Parkway and Interstate 505 overcrossing area Tuesday night, Vacaville police said.
Nathaniel James was identified as the driver who struck and seriously injured a pedestrian Tuesday night in Vacaville, according to authorities.
The victim—identified only as a 25-year-old Vacaville resident—was taken to an area hospital in critical condition.
According to preliminary findings, the 25-year-old pedestrian was struck by a Honda sedan at about 10:43 p.m. in Vacaville. The driver involved in the crash reportedly fled the location; however, officers tracked him down about two miles west of the scene near Rice Lane. At the scene, city investigators noticed the Honda had "visible damage consistent with having been involved in a collision."
Nathaniel James, 21, of Vacaville, was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and felony hit-and-run.
Authorities are investigating.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
A motorist involved in a hit-and-run traffic collision is required to remain at the scene and notify law enforcement officials. Failure to do so would attract criminal charges and other legal consequences.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than one hit-and-run crash occurs every minute on U.S. roads. An average of 682,000 hit-and-run crashes have occurred each year since 2006.
Candice Bond, an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney, said in cases such as this, it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted promptly by a seasoned attorney to protect the victim’s rights.
“Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a hit-and-run accident case and prove negligence,” said Bond, a Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM
Pending the investigation results, the injured pedestrian may have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Bond noted that the stress and worry following a serious injury could be overwhelming, disrupting all aspects of life, including family, work, finances, and overall quality of life.
“It is vital for victims to hire an attorney when filing a personal injury claim, which allows them to negotiate with an insurance company on behalf of a client,” said Stefano Formica, Managing Partner with Bond Legal.
“Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth. However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
If you, a friend, or a family member have been injured at the hands of a hit-and-run or drunken driver, contact our national legal analysts Candice Bond and Stefano Formica for a free consultation for guidance
(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).