Virginia L. Preciado Killed in Conecuh County Car Accident
The 72-year-old passenger died after the Land Rover left the roadway and caught fire near Brushy Creek Road
Rural road departures account for much of Alabama's traffic death, a trend underscored by a recent deadly crash. Virginia L. Preciado, 72, of Daly City, California, was killed in a single-vehicle car accident on Conecuh County 6 near Repton, Alabama, on Friday, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
First responders arrived shortly after 10 p.m. to find a 2021 Land Rover engulfed in flames after it veered off the pavement and struck multiple trees.
The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene, adding to the 120 rural death recorded recently by Drive Safe Alabama. The 56-year-old driver from Santa Clara, California, survived the impact.
Troopers with the Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate what caused the SUV to leave the travel lanes. No charges have been announced.
How common are rural road departures in Conecuh County?
Single-vehicle crashes involving roadway departures are a leading cause of fatal car accidents in rural Alabama. Investigators will examine the 2021 Land Rover's event data recorder, tire conditions, and the road geometry along Conecuh County 6 to determine why the driver lost control.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one"
What is the investigation progress into the fatal car accident?
National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal, noted that "Grieving families of victims are sometimes overwhelmed by the legal processes that are in place to protect their rights."
As the Highway Patrol Division pieces together the sequence of events leading to the vehicle fire, families are often left waiting for answers. In car accidents such as this, independent crash reconstruction can help identify cause like mechanical failure or driver error.
Alabama wrongful death statute
Under Ala. Code § 6-5-410, surviving family members of a person killed in a traffic collision may file a wrongful death action in Alabama. The state applies contributory negligence (one of only 4 states) when determining liability. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages under Alabama's wrongful death statute may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral and burial expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering. Alabama law designates specific parties — typically a surviving spouse, children, or parents — as eligible to bring a wrongful death action.