Each of us at Guenard & Bozarth were saddened to learn of the recent tragedy near Pleasant Grove High School. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the 91-year-old woman who lost her life in a collision last week. As a law firm dedicated to road safety and advocating for victims, we are constantly reminded of how quickly life can change.
The details of the incident, which occurred on Salmon Creek Drive and Bond Road, underscore the potential danger inherent in complex driving maneuvers near busy intersections. According to official reports, the collision occurred as follows:
A Lincoln Town Car was traveling northbound on Salmon Creek Drive, approaching Bond Road, when it attempted an illegal U-turn in front of the fire station on Bond Road. At the same time, a Toyota Rav4 was traveling eastbound on Bond Road, approaching Salmon Creek Drive. The Town Car pulled into the path of the Rav4, which then collided with the driver’s side of the Lincoln. The driver of the Rav4 was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threating injuries. The driver of the Lincoln, a 91-year-old woman, was transported to a local hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries sustained in the collision. Identification of the 91-year-old woman will be made by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office.
This heartbreaking accident serves as a serious and sober reminder of how crucial visibility, timing, and strict adherence to traffic laws are for every driver, particularly for older adults whose reflexes and reaction times may be diminished. While we can never eliminate risk entirely, we can implement strategies to improve awareness and help prevent similar intersection and U-turn collisions.
Always Verify the Legality of U-Turns: Never assume a U-turn is permitted. Look specifically for “No U-Turn” signage, which is common near fire stations and major intersections. If a sign explicitly prohibits the turn, or if visibility is limited or the road is narrow, choose a simpler route, such as turning right and circling the block, to avoid a dangerous maneuver.
Increase Your Margin of Safety: When attempting a turn or crossing traffic, older drivers—and all drivers—should utilize an extended safety gap. Do not pull into traffic based on a minimum “two-second rule.” Instead, allow significantly more time and distance to account for potentially slower vehicle acceleration, delayed decision-making, and the speed of oncoming traffic. When in doubt, wait.
Ensure Maximum Visibility: Ensure the driver’s seat and mirrors are properly adjusted to maximize visibility and minimize blind spots. For elderly drivers, confirm that they have recently checked their vision and that their vehicle’s interior and exterior lighting systems are fully functional.
Proactive Driving Assessments for Aging Drivers: If you have an elderly loved one, occasional, gentle “ride-along” assessments can be invaluable. If you notice signs of confusion, delayed braking, or hesitation at complex intersections, it may be time to discuss limiting driving to only familiar, low-traffic areas or exploring safe transportation alternatives.
We represent people injured as a result of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. Insurance companies have paid our clients hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation because we uncover the facts. When insurance companies fail to offer full compensation, we are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 916-714-7672 or visit www.gblegal.com