Jessica Hwang, 16, was killed and three other teenagers were injured, in a Los Angeles car accident the evening of August 20, 2009, according to a news report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Hwang was in the car with her close friends Michelle Lin and Esther Hong and an unidentified male driver, traveling on Grand Avenue, when another car forced them off the road at the intersection of Grand and Old Brea Canyon Road in Industry, California, close to the 60 Freeway. Esther, 17, and Michelle 16, were hospitalized with major injuries. The male driver was treated for minor injuries. The driver of the other car reportedly fled the car accident.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jessica Hwang. Apparently, all three girls were accomplished students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program at Walnut High School, which is considered to be extremely prestigious. What a tragedy! I hope and pray Michelle and Esther have a quick and complete recovery. Please keep these girls and the family of Jessica Hwang in your prayers during their time of grief.

Los Angeles Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), seven fatalities and 236 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in Industry, California. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 712 fatalities and 56,475 injuries happened in 2007 involving car accidents.

I sincerely hope officials apprehend the driver who allegedly drove away from the scene of this fatal California car accident after running the girls' vehicle off the road. Officials say that driver did not stop at the scene after apparently causing the accident. Based on this news report, this could've been what is known as a "non-contact hit-and-run accident." These are not common, but they do occur. In this case, it may have been possible that the driver did not realize he or she ran the other car off the roadway. However, given the nature of what occurred and the intensity of the crash, I find that hard to imagine.

California Car Accident Laws

Hit-and-run or leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime in California. California Vehicle Code section 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."

The family of Jessica Hwang as well as the other injured victims would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will help them get the justice and compensation they rightfully deserve. In such cases, injured victims may be able to receive compensation for medical expenses and even long-term care costs. The hit-and-run driver, if found responsible for the tragic car accident, could be held criminally and civilly liable for Jessica's fatal injuries and the other victims' major injuries.

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