Hit and run accidents are unacceptable to our San Diego auto accident lawyers.  They are especially cold-natured not only when a wrongful death occurs as a result of a hit and run, but when the responsible motorists actively try to cover it up.

On May 24, 2010, a woman and her husband were convicted and sentenced for the fatal hit and run auto accident that cost the life of one USC student last year, according to the Los Angeles Times.  Another student sustained serious personal injuries and was in court to testify against the husband and wife on trial.

Hit and run accident couple given maximum sentence by judge.

The couple were given maximum sentences, eight years and seven years, respectively, by a Los Angeles Judge for fatally striking a USC student as she walked home after a fraternity party on March 29, 2009.  The couple also hit another student breaking both of his legs.

According to accusations by law enforcement authorities, the pedestrian accident occurred when the two pedestrians were in a crosswalk near the USC campus and the driver in question ran a red light. The female pedestrian was killed as a result of a massive brain injury while the male pedestrian landed on the hood of the couple’s Infiniti, whose 7-month-old son was in the backseat.

For 300 feet, the couple carried the young man on the hood of their vehicle before — according to witness testimony — they exited the car to pull the student off while her they  pushed his body through the windshield from the inside of the car.  After they put his body on the road, the couple drove off.

The young man who survived the accident testified in court against the husband and wife, saying that he was treated like an animal and now his family faces over $200,000 in medical bills that their health care provider is refusing to pay.

L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Janis Johnson explained to the court that they left the scene of the accident because she had been drinking alcohol earlier in the evening.  At the time of the pedestrian accident, the woman was driving with a suspended license and lied to the police about her part in the accident, citing the man as the driver.

Police say that the woman promised to turn over the wrecked Infiniti after towing it to Tijuana, Mexico in an effort to cover up the damage done to the windshield.  The car never came back across the border.

In March, 2010, the couple pleaded no contest to felony hit and run resulting in great bodily injury, with the woman pleading the same way to a misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter.

In cases such as this, our San Diego auto accident lawyers believe the maximum sentence must be given out, if only to set an example that hit-and-run driving deaths will not be tolerated in our society.  It appears that these two were not just negligent in their actions, but malicious in the way they attempted to cover up the accident.  There are no words to describe the feeling of loss that comes with losing a loved one in an auto accident, but it is an even harder emotion to stomach when the persons at-fault attempt to hide their involvement.

Our firm assists families after a hit and run accident has seriously injured or taken the live of someone they love.  These are complex situations and in your hour of need, the best course of action is to hire a legal team that would know how to represent you best in your one chance at justice.

Call us anytime night or day at 1-858-551-2090 for a FREE Consultation with an auto accident lawyer. You may also click here to submit your case for a FREE Online Review.