Martinian & Associates Inc. is currently representing family members of a victim who was killed in a traffic accident in April. The accident – which occurred just before 7:00 am on Laguna Canyon Road – has garnered media attention because two of the parties involved are local area physicians. The doctors had allegedly been street racing when one doctor’s Tesla crossed into oncoming traffic, struck a vehicle, and killed its two occupants. Both victims were traveling to their jobs as landscapers in Laguna Beach. You can read more details about the incident onthis article.
While awrongful death lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the victims’ relatives, the doctor who had been driving the Tesla at the time of the accident – 48-year-old surgeon Robert M. Pettis – was also criminally charged with vehicular manslaughter. Late last month, on January 27, Pettis pleaded not guilty in Orange County Superior Court.
Criminal proceedings against the doctor are set to begin with a pre-trial hearing next month. Ascriminal proceedings are conducted separately from personal injury and wrongful death claims, the wrongful death case will be handled independently in a civil court. Also named as defendants in the case are the other doctor allegedly involved in the street racing and seven public entities, including the city of Laguna Beach and the car dealers from whom the doctors purchased the vehicles.
At Martinian & Associates Inc., our Los Angelespersonal injury lawyers are passionate about protecting the rights of victims and families who have suffered losses as a result of another’s negligence or carelessness. Just as we do with every personal injury and wrongful death case we handle, our legal team will fight aggressively to ensure that at-fault parties in this case are held accountable for their actions.Contact us today.
