Janessa Gonzalez Killed in Terra Bella Pedestrian Accident
12-year-old struck by suspected DUI driver outside Terra Bella Elementary School
Janessa Gonzalez, 12, of Terra Bella, was killed in a pedestrian crash involving a suspected drunken driver on Avenue 95 near Road 238 in Terra Bella on Monday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The 22-year-old Porterville man was driving a 2015 Ford Mustang west when he struck Gonzalez as she attempted to cross the street in front of Terra Bella Elementary School. Investigators suspect alcohol played a role in the collision, though specific charges have not been announced. Paramedics transported the middle school student to Sierra View Medical Center, where she later died from her injuries.
The Terra Bella School District provided grief counselors for students and staff following the fatal collision.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact the Highway Patrol at 559-784-7444 as the investigation continues.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-impaired drivers were involved in about 16% of fatal pedestrian crashes in 2023.
The loss of a child in a suspected impaired driving collision leaves families searching for answers while navigating a complex legal and criminal process.
While law enforcement pursues potential criminal charges against the driver, independent investigators often examine the scene to preserve evidence for parallel civil claims.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Fatal pedestrian crashes involving suspected impairment leave behind more questions than answers during the earliest, most confusing hours following impact. Toxicology results and blood alcohol testing often arrive weeks later, after evidence already begins fading from view."
"Serving as an advocate, an attorney steps in immediately, preserving surveillance recordings and witness statements while shielding surviving relatives from premature insurance pressure," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How do criminal DUI charges affect a civil case?
When a driver faces criminal charges for driving under the influence, the victim's family can simultaneously pursue a civil wrongful death claim. These parallel proceedings ensure that families can seek accountability regardless of the criminal court's outcome.
In California, minimum auto insurance limits are set at $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident, which frequently leaves at-fault drivers underinsured in fatal collisions. Families often require legal advocacy to identify all potential sources of liability and insurance coverage.
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.
"Distracted driving often comes into question whenever a vehicle strikes someone walking near a roadway. Mobile device logs and computer records can confirm whether a driver was paying attention to the road," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Serving as an advocate, an attorney helps families preserve digital records before vital electronic evidence disappears."