Despite tougher legislation and the increased efforts of law enforcement officials, distracted driving car accidents continue to wreak havoc on the roads throughout our area. These accidents can cause serious and potentially life threatening injuries for both drivers and passengers, injuries that were otherwise entirely avoidable. San Jose officials continue to be involved in statewide efforts to raise public awareness and by sharing the tragic tale of the loss of his daughter, a local fire captain hopes that he can get motorists to pay attention.
To Raise Awareness, Fire Captain Shares Details of Daughter’s Death
The Captain of the San Jose Fire Department suffered a devastating loss four years on Mother’s Day weekend when his daughter was tragically killed as the result of a distracted driving accident. The still-grieving father now shares his story in the hopes that it will raise awareness and can help save other lives.
Through a California Highway Patrol program titled ‘Impact Teen Drivers’, the captain shares the sad details of the night his 16-year-old daughter was killed. He said she was with a group of friends who were usually chauffeured by a parent, but no one was available that evening to take the girls where they wanted to go. One of the girls was a licensed driver, so with their parent’s permission, they headed out in search of fun on a Saturday evening. It was just a week before the captain’s daughter was set to graduate from her learner’s permit and obtain her own license. Her father had even worked with her in driver training and safety earlier that day.
According to the captain’s account, the girls were rushing home to reach a 10:00 p.m. curfew and the driver was going too fast. Instead of traveling at the speed limit of 35 miles per hour, she was doing nearly 75. When the girl turned her head to take a SnapChat photo of the other girls in the backseat, she lost control of the vehicle. The car slammed into a tree, with the captain’s daughter in the front passenger seat. She was killed instantly.
The captain claims his years as a fire chief and the tragedies he had witnessed could not have prepared him for the site of the mangled car his daughter was in. Today, he uses his daughter’s story to help raise awareness of the devastating impact being distracted can have on drivers, passengers, other motorists, and surviving family members.
Reach Out to Our San Jose Attorneys Today
At the Jachimowicz Law Group, we understand the devastating impacts victims and their families go through when car accidents occur. We act as a strong, caring legal ally on your side. If you or a family member has been involved in a distracted driving accident, call 408-550-1732 or reach out to our dedicated San Jose car accident attorneys online and request a consultation today.
Sources:
https://patch.com/california/gilroy/grieving-father-recounts-worst-day-life-save-others
https://www.chp.ca.gov/PressReleases/Pages/18-32_Teen_Distracted_Driving_Grant_Press_Release_(TDDEE).pdf
