Monday, September 23, 2013

16-Year-Old Nathaniel Mota Killed By Hit-and-Run Driver While Walking in South Los Angeles Crosswalk


On Friday September 13, 2013, 16-year-old Nathaniel Mota was walking across the street from church to meet up with his family when an unidentified driver struck him.  The driver of a white Nissan Maxima immediately fled the scene after striking Mr. Mota.  The incident occurred at the intersection of Normandy Avenue and 42nd Street in South Los Angeles.  

According to Los Angeles Police Department Officials, Nathaniel Mota was lawfully within a marked crosswalk at the time of the collision. The at-fault driver sped off north towards 42nd street after the collision.  Witnesses with any information are urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department immediately.

Nathaniel Mota was an avid churchgoer who worked as an usher at St. Cecelia Catholic Church (Iglesia Catolica Santa Cecilia).  Friends and family remember him as a caring and loving young man who had a bright future ahead of him.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the Mota family in their time of grief.  The wrongful death of a loved one is a terribly tragedy that no family should be forced to endure. 

The specific crosswalk where this tragic accident occurred has been a concern for the St. Cecelia Church community for years.  Many churchgoers and community members have repeatedly expressed concerns that the crosswalk lacked proper markers, lighting and signage.  Saint Cecelia Pastor Jorge Ochoa has indicated that he had previously urged authorities to install signs and lights to make the crosswalk safer. 

Tragically, unsafe intersections frequently lead to fatal and severe pedestrian accidents.  Many factors can contribute to make an intersection unsafe.  For example, an unsafe intersection may lack adequate signage, be designed improperly or have improper phasing of traffic signals. 

Accidents that result from unsafe intersections usually require the filing of a claim against the state or municipal entity that is responsible for designing and/or maintaining the intersection.  There are strict deadlines and procedural requirements that must be followed when pursuing a claim against a public entity.  Accordingly, it is imperative that pedestrian accident victims and their families immediately contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney to help protect their rights.   

If you or a loved one have experienced a pedestrian accident contact the dedicated legal team at Matiaisc Roth & Johnson LLP today.  We specialize in fighting for the rights of pedestrian accident victims in Southern California and throughout the State.  Call our office today for a free consultation and case evaluation.  

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