Liane Gertrud Hocking, 69, was killed in a car crash on June 7, 2010 at the intersection of Atwater Jordan and Bert Cane roads. According to a news report published in the Merced Sun Star, Hocking was driving a 2000 Mitsubishi Galant when she collided with a 2006 Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by Carlos Eduardo Vieira.
The initial police investigation has determined that stop signs were present at the Bert Cane intersection only and not at Atwater Jordan. California Highway Patrol officials stated that Hocking drove her car into the intersection and Vieira was not able to prevent this tragic collision. Hocking sustained serious injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Vieira was lucky enough to escape uninjured. The investigation is being conducted to determine the real cause of this car crash. If Vieira is determined to have been at fault in causing this accident, then he could be held liable for Hocking’s wrongful death. However if unkempt road conditions lead to this auto accident, then the government entities responsible for maintenance if the road could be held liable as well. For example, the absence of a traffic sign or poor vicinity of the sign can also be considered as negligent. Hocking’s family may be entitled for compensation in either case. We offer our deepest condolences to all those who knew and loved Hocking for such a heartrending and irrevocable loss.
Ross Jurewitz is a Merced County personal injury attorney and the managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California law firm dedicated to representing families of people killed in a wrongful death accident. If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a deadly car accident in California, please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz’s book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.
