Santa Rosa Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Claims the Life of Pacifica Man

A shocking and preventable pedestrian accident claimed the life of one victim on Wednesday February 27, 2013.  According to published reports, a pedestrian was walking along the 4600 block of Montgomery Drive at approximately 1:00 pm when he was struck by a sedan.

The victim has since been identified by the Sonoma County Coroner’s Office as 64-year-old George Michael Black of Pacifica.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Black’s family in their time of immeasurable grief. 

Shockingly, the driver fled the scene after causing this fatal accident.  Three days later, a Santa Rosa law firm contacted local police and indicated that the vehicle that was involved in the accident could be found at the Santa Rosa home of 60-year-old Steven Harry Heath.   Mr. Heath is the owner and operator of Steven Heath Reality, a prominent real estate agency in Sonoma County.  Police arrived at the home on Pepperwood Road where they located and impounded a 2011 Mercedes Benz S550 that was involved in the accident.  Shortly thereafter, police arrested Mr. Heath for suspicion of felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter.  

The police investigation of this devastating accident is still ongoing.  Hit-and-run accidents often involve drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Some other common causes of pedestrian accidents include: driver inattentiveness, driver confusion and aggressive driving.  Drivers who endanger pedestrians deserve to be punished and held accountable for their actions.     

Losing a loved one in a pedestrian accident is a tragedy that no family should be forced to endure.  Families that have experienced the wrongful death of a loved one need a dedicated pedestrian accident attorney to fight for them. 

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our experienced legal team is committed to getting pedestrian accident victims the compensation they deserve to help rebuild their lives.  We fight for our clients by holding at-fault drivers and their insurance carriers accountable for the irreparable harm caused by their disregard for the safety of pedestrians.   

This tragic accident exemplifies the dangers facing pedestrians throughout California.  Sonoma County especially has seen far too many preventable, heart breaking pedestrian and bicycle accidents in recent years.  If you or a loved one have experienced a pedestrian accident call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP for a free consultation with one of our dedicated attorneys.