A 71-year-old woman killed in a Los Angeles car accident has been identified as Teresa Andrade. The Los Angeles Times reports that Andrade was traveling in a car that was struck by an SUV, whose driver was fleeing the scene of another accident. Andrade was ejected from her car due to the impact of the collision that occurred near the intersection of Wilmington Avenue and Raymond Street, in Compton. The SUV, moments earlier, had clipped a woman on a motorcycle and instead of stopping, sped away. The driver of the SUV in trying to get away, made a U-turn and hit Andrade's vehicle.

The SUV's driver, who has not yet been identified, still drove away from the scene of the second accident, but was turned in by his family members, shortly after the accident. Los Angeles Sheriff's officials had tracked down the driver's residence using the SUV's license plate, which had fallen off at the scene of the fatal car accident.

My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Teresa Andrade. I offer them my deepest sympathies for this tragic loss. They will certainly be in my prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

There were nine fatalities and 359 injuries involving car accidents in Compton, according to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Countywide, car accidents claimed 712 lives and injured 56,475 people during the same year.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident

It is a serious crime to leave the scene of an accident. 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 this news report is accurate, the driver of this SUV was driving negligently and with reckless disregard for public safety.

Seeking Legal Counsel

The family of Teresa Andrade would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experiencedLos Angeles personal injury lawyer, who has an excellent track record of pursuing negligent drivers and holding them accountable. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also have the vehicle examined for seatbelt defects since Andrade was ejected from the vehicle. It's not clear if she was wearing her seatbelt or her restraints system failed.

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.