The California Trial Law Group is preparing to file a lawsuit on behalf of the family of Carlos Prieto, the boy who was severely injured when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver on his bicycle, against the driver of the vehicle, 36-year-old, Leah Conner.
According to court documents filed by the Alameda County District Attorney’s office, Conner is accused of driving her car southbound in the 1100 block of 35th Avenue in Oakland on Jan. 2 when she struck the Prieto, who rolled onto her hood before falling to the pavement. Conner then pulled forward, trapping him under the car and dragged him south along 35th Avenue, then east into an AC Transit bus terminal, south onto 33rd Avenue, east onto San Leandro Street and south onto 34th Avenue to the road’s dead end, according to court documents. This resulted in Carlos fracturing over thirty bones in his body, severe internal bleeding, detaching his ear, and enough “road rash” skin injuries that he is being treated as a burn victim.
In a cell phone video shot immediately after the accident, the female driver and a male passenger are seen getting out of the car and look at the teen writhing in pain on the ground. Prieto can be heard begging for someone to call an ambulance to help him. The two people in the video are then seen getting back into the car and driving away. Carlos has endured at least eight surgeries so far, and weeks spent in the intensive care unit.
Conner was arrested Saturday, January 26, 2019 and is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident by the Alameda County District Attorney’s office. Court records also show Conner was on probation at the time of the crash for a DUI and for evading a police officer during an incident in Sonoma County on October 31, 2018.
“All drivers have a legal duty to provide other pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers the highest degree of care to protect other users of the road from sustaining an injury,” said Ike Kaludi of the California Trial Law Group, PC. The Albany-based firm represents victims of negligence and their families, including those injured by the failure of motorists like Ms. Conner. “During a time where more Bay Area residents are considering riding their bikes or alternative forms of transportation to work and school, it is important to hold negligent and criminal motorists accountable for their wrongdoings. Carlos is a very brave young man to have endured this injury and courageously fought to rehabilitate his injuries.”
In the wake of the accident, various bicycle clubs from the area organized a ride to show their support. A GoFundMe page was also set up to fundraise for Carlos’ medical expenses, and has raised nearly $59,000.
The above is a press release issued by the California Trial Law Group, PC on September 6, 2019. For media coverage, click here
Posted in: Personal Injury