Senior was struck in the area of Terminal and Townsend avenues, authorities say
RIVERBANK, CA, (November 23, 2024) - An elderly man was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle in Riverbank early Saturday morning, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office.
Venustiano Duarte, 84, was badly injured after being hit by a vehicle whose driver, investigators say, fled the scene. The incident happened in Riverbank early Saturday morning, police said.
The incident occurred shortly after 5 a.m. in the area of Terminal and Townsend avenues.
Venustiano Duarte was on his daily morning walk when a vehicle—possibly a medium-sized SUV—crashed into him and fled the scene, the sheriff's office reported. As 84-year-old Duarte lay down on the roadway, a second motorist stopped to help but did not inform law enforcement officials. A search is now underway to locate the SUV driver.
Duarte was transported to the hospital with a broken arm and fractured ankle. He remains in the ICU.
The investigation remains underway.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
According to the American Automobile Association (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 occurred each year since 2006.
In most cases involving drivers who do not stop at the scene, the at-fault drivers feel they can avoid the consequences of their actions if they leave the scene. However, a suspect will be charged when apprehended.
Candice Bond, an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney, said it is imperative in such cases to have an independent investigation conducted promptly by a seasoned attorney to protect the rights of a victim.
“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, Venustiano Duarte 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 Bond, a national legal analyst for Newsline.
“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 analyst Candice Bond for a free consultation for guidance.
(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).