Enrique Maydon, 30, sustained critical injuries in a car accident on the Highway 101, which involved multiple vehicles and a hit-and-run driver, reports The Monterey County Herald. California Highway Patrol officials say that a Dodge Durango cut off a Nissan Sentra traveling in the southbound lanes of the freeway, near Chualar the morning of April 26, 2010. Oscar Placencia, 24, the driver of the Nissan then, crossed the center median and went into the northbound lanes, before colliding head-on with a car driven by Maydon.

Police Seek Hit-and-Run Driver

Maydon was transported to the hospital where he is still listed in critical condition following surgery. Placencia suffered minor injuries as his car also struck a Chevrolet Cobalt driven by a 50-year-old man. The Dodge Durango that apparently triggered this horrific Monterey County car collision, fled the accident scene. Officials say the hit-and-run car is a green Dodge Durango SUV with front-end damage. If you have any information about this accident or the hit-and-run driver, please call the Salinas CHP office at 831-796-2100.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the injured victims here, especially the seriously injured Enrique Maydon. I offer him my best wishes for a speedy and full recovery. Please keep this victim and his family in your prayers.

California Hit-and-Run Law and Statistics

California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states: "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." Under this law, motorists are required to stop after an accident whether or not the accident was their fault.

There were 247 hit-and-run fatalities in 2008, in California, according to the California Highway Patrol's traffic statistics. Also,16,911 personal injuries resulted from hit-and-run collisions, statewide, in 2008. Traffic accidents in Monterey County claimed 40 lives and injured 1,470 people during the same year.

How A California Lawyer Can Help

Based on this news account, it appears the driver of the Dodge was responsible for the initial collision that caused Placencia to lose control and enter the opposing traffic lanes. I trust officials will soon apprehend the hit-and-run suspect involved in this incident and determine what exactly happened. If he or she is found to have been at fault, then, the driver must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and also held civilly liable for the serious injuries and damages caused.

The families of the injured victims in such accidents should promptly consult with a reputedCalifornia personal injury attorney, who will help them secure just compensation, while holding the negligent parties fully accountable for their actions.

What can law enforcement do better to make sure eyewitnesses and members of the public promptly report hit-and-run drivers? We would love to hear your ideas.

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.