A 14-year-old girl -- Michelle Ramirez -- died in a Bakersfield car accident after she was hit by a vehicle while crossing the road in Taft, California, the evening of November 10, 2009. According to an ABC news report, Michelle was crossing at the intersection of Kern Street and 2nd Street when a white Jeep Cherokee struck her and then fled the scene. Officials later arrested the hit-and-run driver Glenn Russell, 46, in Ford City as he was spotted trying to fix his damaged vehicle. Russell reportedly pled no contest to a DUI charge in 2007. He was arrested and charged with felony hit-and-run this time.

I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Michelle Ramirez for their tremendous loss. This is no doubt a devastating accident that has cut short a young life. This family and the community, which has been saddened by her loss, will certainly be in my prayers.

Bakersfield Pedestrian Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person died and two were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents in Taft. In Kern County, pedestrian accidents claimed 17 lives and injured 207 people in 2007. Also, countywide, 142 deaths and 3,615 injuries were reported that year involving car accidents.

Hit-and-Run is a Serious Crime

Based on this news report, it is not clear exactly how or why this accident occurred. We don't know whether the teen was in a crosswalk or if Russell was speeding, distracted or even impaired at the time. But I hope he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for striking the teen and fleeing the scene of the accident. Hit-and-run is a serious crime in California. According to California Vehicle Code section 20001: "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."

If negligence or wrongdoing is suspected in a car accident, victims or their families should contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will fight to protect their legal rights.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.