Nancy Louise Cunningham Killed in San Luis Obispo Car Acc...
The crash on Highway 101 involved three-cars
Nancy Louise Cunningham, 69, of Stratham, Georgia, was killed in a three-car crash on Highway 101 north of San Luis Obispo on March 28, according to the California Highway Patrol. The accident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. when the driver of a Toyota Camry attempted to turn left from Higuera Ranch across the northbound lanes onto southbound Highway 101. A Toyota Highlander crashed into the Camry. The Highlander was propelled across both southbound lanes and onto the shoulder. The Camry landed in a northbound lane. Cunningham, a passenger in the Camry, then opened the car door and began to step out. A Hyundai Tucson then crashed into the Camry. This crash threw Cunningham onto the Highway 101 left turn lane to Higuera Ranch. She died at the scene. Ambulances transported two adult drivers and three juvenile passengers to Sierra Vista Hospital for treatment of minor to moderate injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The Toyota Highlander crashed into the Toyota Camry, which propelled the Highlander across both southbound lanes and onto the shoulder. The Camry landed in a northbound lane. The driver of a Hyundai Tucson was headed northbound on Highway 101 and also crashed into the Camry. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "Most people don't know that road geometry, like the way water drains on a curve, can cause a serious wreck. It’s frustrating because these engineering details often explain why a driver lost control of their vehicle." Investigators will analyze each impact to determine the cause of the crash. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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.