Collision Reported at Intersection of Baseline Street and Valaria Drive
HIGHLAND, CA, (September 19, 2025) - Tragedy struck Friday night in Highland when a 53-year-old Colton woman died in a vehicle accident.
Tammie Downer was killed in a vehicle collision at the intersection of Baseline Street and Valaria Drive in San Bernardino County.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Tammie Downer was an occupant in a crash at approximately 10:17 p.m. at Baseline Street and Valaria Drive. Downer was pronounced deceased at the scene, and no additional information has been made public.
FATAL ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Each year, roughly 36,000 people die in motor vehicle accidents in this country. In California, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were 4,061 traffic fatalities in 2023.
Typical causes of crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, are speeding, as well as the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication; failure to stay in the proper lane; failure to yield the right of way; and distracted driving.
That is why Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney, said it's imperative in cases such as this to conduct a prompt independent investigation to preserve evidence and protect the rights of families of victims.
“As attorneys, our job is to provide both legal information and advice to the families of those who have been killed in an accident,” said Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal and a national analyst for The Legal Advocate. “We can help protect your rights and prevent your statements to the police and insurance companies from being used against you.”
Added Bond, “An attorney will carefully review what may have contributed to the crash and has the resources to hire expert witnesses, conduct driver background checks, locate witnesses to the crash, and review applicable insurance coverage. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide families during this difficult time while vigorously protecting their legal rights and interests.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the family of Tammie Downer may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim to cover medical and funeral expenses, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
“An incident qualifies as a wrongful death when a person or entity’s negligent or wrongful actions result in someone’s death,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “In cases where vehicle fatalities occur due to unsafe, distracted, or aggressive driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, family members often have the option to file a civil claim against the at-fault driver.”
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. 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).
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