Danny Price Killed in Vinton Car Accident
The multi-vehicle collision occurred on State Route 70 east of State Route 49
Danny Price, 63, of Loyalton, was killed in a multi-vehicle accident on State Route 70 near Vinton in Plumas County on May 7, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Fire personnel and officers extricated the trapped driver from his Dodge Dart before Care Flight airlifted him to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno. The crash occurred when a westbound Ford F-150 crossed into the eastbound lanes and struck a Ford Explorer, investigators said.
After the initial collision, the pickup truck continued eastbound and crashed head-on into Price's Dodge Dart. The driver of the pickup was taken to the hospital by ground ambulance.
The people in the Explorer were not visibly injured and sought their own medical evaluation.
Impairment is not suspected to be a factor in the collision. The crash remains under investigation by the Quincy Area office.
Why did the pickup cross the center line on State Route 70?
Investigators are working to determine exactly why the westbound Ford F-150 drifted into oncoming traffic near Vinton. When analyzing fatal cross-centerline crashes, investigators frequently examine toxicology reports to determine if impaired driving played a role.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, said, "Unsafe passing maneuvers and speeding frequently contribute to crossover collisions. Serving as an advocate, an attorney emphasizes that preserving cellphone records, toxicology results, and surveillance footage is critical to ensuring accountability and protecting families enduring devastating head-on collisions."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 39,345 people died in traffic crashes nationwide in 2024.
What are the legal options for families affected by Plumas County crashes?
Families who lose a loved one in a sudden collision often face immediate financial and emotional burdens.
"Losing a loved one represents profound emotional devastation and significant economic hardship, with surviving relatives often burdened by overwhelming medical costs, insurance disputes, and enduring financial challenges," noted Stefano Formica, who serves as a national legal analyst for Accident News and is of counsel at Bond Legal.
The tragic loss of victims like Price in head-on collisions leaves families searching for answers and accountability. While the cause of a crash on State Route 70 is being investigated, it is important that a competent attorney handles investigations into cases such as this to ensure the rights of the victim's family are protected.
California wrongful death statute
Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.60, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. California applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.