Authorities have identified a 57-year-old man killed the morning of May 29, 2010, in a San Bernardino car accident, as Christian Hansen Gunn. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports that the fatal car collision occurred when Gunn was traveling in a 2002 Nissan Sentra north on State Route 18.

Tragic Car Accident

At the time, a Dodge Neon driven by 24-year-old Michael McCarthy struck the Nissan head-on, killing Gunn at the scene. The Nissan's driver sustained minor injuries, but a passenger in the Dodge, Joana Hernandez has been hospitalized in critical condition. Officials say McCarthy was street-racing at the time and caused the collision. However, officials say they will interview witnesses, calculate speeds and conduct further investigation before determining if criminal charges will be filed.

My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Christian Hansen Gunn. The West Covina resident was a long-time employee at Swiss Dairy and was planning on retiring this month, the report states. He was fishing in San Bernardino after attending a retirement party hosted by the company. Tragic! His grieving family will be in my prayers. I also wish the injured victims the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

Liability Issues

Under California law, racing on a public street or highway is illegal. In this case, if it is determined that McCarthy was street-racing, he could likely face vehicular manslaughter charges. He could also be held civilly liable for Gunn's wrongful death. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation to cover medical or funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. Victims who are injured by someone else's recklessness or negligence can also seek compensation to cover injuries, damages and loss.

Injured victims and their families would be well-advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise victims and their families about how their car insurance policy will apply to an incident where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.

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None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.