Santa Rosa Pedestrian Victor Buxbaum Killed by Drunk Driver

A tragic and unnecessary pedestrian death took place on the evening of Wednesday July 10^th, when a driver who was under the influence veered off the road and hit a pedestrian and his dog.  The 33-year-old driver should not have been on the road that evening, as his license was suspended because of a previous DUI.  Andrew Tungseth, a Santa Rosa native, was driving northbound on Stony Point Road when he drifted his 2004 Toyota Tacoma into the right hand shoulder and struck 52-year-old Victor Buxbaum and his dog, then crashed into two parked vehicles.  Both Buxbaum and his pit bull reportedly died at the scene at approximately 7:27 p.m.

Following an investigation, police found prescription drugs, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia in Tungseth’s vehicle.   Tungseth was arrested at the scene for suspicion of felony DUI with drugs, DUI with alcohol, driving with a suspended license, driving drunk with a suspended license, and manslaughter.  After his arrest, the Santa Rosa District Attorney released a statement regarding his extensive criminal history, and their intent to pursue charges, possibly even for second degree murder.  Tungseth is currently being held on $100,000 bail in the Sonoma County Jail.

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the Buxbaum family in their time of immeasurable grief.  Losing a family member at the hands of a drunk driver is a burden no family should have to endure.  Mr. Buxbaum is remembered fondly in several published reports, which stated that he was a well-liked yoga teacher in the Santa Rosa community.

While the state pursues criminal charges, Mr. Buxbaum’s family will be simultaneously entitled to file a lawsuit for monetary compensation for his wrongful death.  Since Mr. Tungseth was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, it is clear that he is liable for Mr. Buxbaum’s tragic death.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP we believe that drivers who choose to participate in reckless behavior should be held responsible for their actions.  If you have lost a loved one because of a negligent, inattentive, or intoxicated driver, call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today for your free consultation and case evaluation.

21-year-old Cyclist Killed by Recology Garbage Truck in San Francisco's Mission District

On May 23, 2013, at about 6:45 a.m., a bicyclist was struck by a Recology garbage truck in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco.  The accident occurred as the bicyclist was heading eastbound on 16^th Street, while trying to make a right hand turn onto southbound Van Ness.  The collision left the 21-year-old bicyclist dead at the scene.  The bicyclist, Dylan Mitchell, had just moved to San Francisco two weeks ago and was working with an electrician as an apprentice.  He was previously a resident of Clayton and had attended Clayton Valley High School.

 

The driver of the garbage truck was unaware he had hit the bicyclist until he was waved down by pedestrians on the street who had witnessed the collision.  The bike was found crushed on the corner of 17^th Street and South Van Ness after being dragged one block down the street.

 

Bicycles and vehicles must share the road making it essential that drivers obey all traffic laws. Bicyclists do not have the same physical protections as other vehicles which makes them more vulnerable to serious injuries.  Drivers have a duty to pay attention while driving and refrain from any negligent behavior that puts the safety of cyclists at risk.  Bicycle accidents frequently happen when a cyclist is cut off in an intersection or when someone opens their car door into a bike lane.  When drivers fail to take the proper safety precautions, severe or fatal injuries can occur.

 

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP we send our deepest condolences to Dylan Mitchell’s family.  The personal injury attorneys at Matiasic Roth and Johnson LLP are highly experienced with bicycle accident law and know the importance of pursuing our client’s legal rights with diligence.  Our lawyers have over thirty years of combined legal experience and have successfully handled many bicycle accident cases.

 

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, your case will be personally handled by one of our skilled attorneys who are compassionate with their clients and aggressive in protecting their rights.  If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident you could be entitled to compensation.  Contact the attorneys at Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP for a free consultation and case evaluation.

San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Claims Life

On the evening of April 11^th, beloved Sunnyside Elementary School Custodian Becky Lee was pronounced dead at San Francisco General Hospital after being struck by a pickup truck on her evening walk. Several reports state that 60-year-old Ms. Lee was in the crosswalk at the intersection of Judson Avenue and Edna Street at 6:58 p.m., near the Balboa Park area in San Francisco, when she tragically became the victim of pedestrian accident.

A 42-year-old woman driving the pickup truck remained on the scene and was interviewed by police officers and investigators. Police investigators have not yet released any information regarding the cause of this tragic accident.  Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include:  driver confusion, driver inattentiveness, aggressive driving, and driver intoxication. 

Becky Lee, a San Francisco resident, was popular and well-liked by the students and faculty of Sunnyside Elementary. She was known as Ms. Becky by the students. School officials are taking several measures to support Ms. Becky’s family in their time of grief by accepting donations that will be given to the Lee family to help with funeral expenses. Similarly, Sunnyside is providing grief counselors for any students who need help coping with this tragic loss.

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with members of the Sunnyside Elementary community, and Ms. Lee’s family in their time of grief. This loss exemplifies how an instant of driver inattention or recklessness can leave a community devastated, and leave a family and community looking for answers. 

 

The dedicated pedestrian accident attorneys of Matiasiac Roth & Johnson LLP fight for families who have experienced a traumatic loss due to pedestrian accidents to help them obtain the compensation they deserve.  This can include damages for property damage, past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, emotional distress, loss of consortium, pain and suffering. 

 

If you or a loved one have experienced a pedestrian accident call the office of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today for a free consultation.  One of our dedicated pedestrian accident lawyers will help explain your rights and provide you with a free case evaluation.