Petaluma, CA – Mario Gongora Castaneda Killed in Crash on McDowell Blvd
Petaluma, CA (September 25, 2020) – One person lost their life after a pedestrian accident on Tuesday evening in the Petaluma area. At approximately 7 p.m., on September 22, the California Highway Patrol responded to the scene of an accident on McDowell Boulevard.
Reports from authorities show that 53-year-old Mario Gongora Castaneda was walking on a sidewalk near McDowell Boulevard when a white 2011 Toyota Prius, driven by 41-year-old James Watkins, drove up on the sidewalk and struck him.
Castaneda was rendered aid at the scene by an off-duty nurse who passed by the scene of the accident while awaiting law enforcement. The victim was subsequently rushed to Petaluma Valley Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. At this time, the incident remains under investigation.
We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of Mario Castaneda. Our thoughts are with them at this time.
Fatal Pedestrian Accidents in California
Around 900 pedestrians lose their lives every year in auto collisions across the state of California. Although we want to believe that people traveling outside of vehicles are safer, these victims account for nearly 26% of total traffic-related fatalities each year in our state. These accidents often have an overwhelming impact on families who are forced to endure the mental, emotional, and financial challenges these accidents create. In many cases, victims lose their lives in accidents as a result of another person’s actions.
Although there is truly no amount of compensation that can ever replace the lives of those taken away from us so tragically, pursuing legal options after a tragic loss can help families obtain the financial resources they need to move forward and recover. In addition to helping grieving families cope with their tragic loss, wrongful death lawsuits set precedents to let others sharing the road know what types of actions will not be tolerated. Civil routes ensure families are able to move forward and reach their goals while taking proactive measures to ensure their friends, families, and neighbors are safer. In Northern California, families who lose loved ones due to the negligent actions are able to reach out to a San Francisco wrongful death attorney to seek justice and compensation to alleviate the financial burdens they face moving forward.
The Law Offices of William E. Weiss has extensive experience helping families protect their legal rights after losing loved ones in accidents. Our team understands the overwhelming challenges grieving families face as they move forward, which is why we provide only the most effective and compassionate legal representation for our clients. For over three decades, California car accident attorney William E. Weiss has represented thousands of families who have lost loved ones in accidents caused by negligent and reckless drivers to ensure they get the justice they deserve. Contact Attorney William E. Weiss directly by calling (415) 235-7060 to schedule a free case evaluation with an aggressive personal injury attorney in California to explore legal options available for you.
Notes: Our firm uses outside sources when creating these posts. These sources include but are not limited to various news sources, police reports, traffic incident reports, and first-hand accounts about accidents and the injuries involved. For this reason, the details surrounding the accidents that we report about have not been independently verified by our writers and staff. If there is any incorrect or false information in this post, please contact us immediately and will change the post to reflect the most accurate information available.
Disclaimers: As valued members of our local community in San Francisco, we at William E. Weiss, are making an effort to improve the overall safety of our community members while informing them about the dangers of driving and reminding drivers to drive safely and use precautions. This post is not a solicitation for business. The safety information provided should not be misconstrued as legal or medical advice. The photographs used in this post are not representative of the actual accident scene.
