Car accidents can occur at any time and in any place, and when they do they often lead to serious injuries or even worse consequences. Tragically, an off-duty Sacramento County sheriff’s deputy paid the ultimate price for a driving mistake that occurred last August when she was killed in an accident. Last week, the driver in that Sacramento car accident was given a sentence that involves community service.

The accident in question occurred in August of 2009 in the westbound lanes on Interstate 80 near Sacramento. Stacy Lynn Taylor, 23, was moving in that direction near Longview Drive when she suddenly changed lanes to maneuver around a large truck that was moving onto the freeway. As a result of this sudden lane change, Kelly Lynne Allen Lara, 43, was forced to take immediate evasive action, as Taylor had moved into her path.

Tragically, this sudden need to avoid contact caused Lara to lose control of her vehicle as she was on her way to work at the airport. Her vehicle spun into the back of the large truck, and Lara was killed as a result of the force of this impact. Taylor was arrested and faced multiple charges, but she pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter. Her sentence includes 150 hours of community service.

California Car Accident Statistics

While we’re relieved that the family of Deputy Lara has seen this chapter of this situation end, it’s possible that they do not feel as though justice has been served. Lara left behind four small children and a husband, and this incident only adds to the statistics regarding California car accidents. Every year, 175,000 people are injured and another 3,000 people are killed in California car accidents, and every loss of life is tragic.

Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyers

Even though the criminal prosecution regarding this situation is now over, that doesn’t mean that Deputy Lara’s family cannot look into the possibility of filing a California wrongful death claim against Taylor. If the case was successful, the family could recover damages for costs incurred, lost income and loss of companionship.

However, these decisions should only be made with the help of Sacramento personal injury lawyers who have been holding negligent drivers accountable for these terrible losses for many years. If this has happened to someone you love, contact Demas Law Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.