The family of a woman hit by a bus as she was crossing the street in Daly City, California has filed a wrongful death suit against the bus driver, as well as the San Mateo County Transit District. In November of last year, 50-year-old Amy Aiwa Leong Chan was crossing inside the crosswalk when she was struck. The police initially said Chan, whose leg was run over, would survive. However, her family alleges she died ten days later due to massive brain damage suffered in the accident. They are suing for burial expenses and punitive damages.
The bus driver, Juan Ignacio Perales, allegedly had a poor driving record, and was unfamiliar with the bus and the route at the time of the accident. The Chan family accuses SamTrans of negligence in his hiring. Perales never faced criminal charges in the case, and the police referred to it as a possible matter of reckless driving only. Prosecutors never pursued an indictment against Perales where the evidence pointed to Perales’ inability to see Chan as she was crossing the street. Deputy District Attorney Morley Pitt said, “There was glare on the passenger side window and his line of sight was obscured by a door frame and part of the bus.”
Witnesses have given conflicting reports of what happened at the crosswalk. One witness states Chan ran in front of the bus while another witness states she was simply walking. Regardless, the Chan family is still struggling with the fact she was hit while inside the crosswalk.
If you have lost a loved one in an accident involving a county transit vehicle, please contact an experienced injury lawyer in your area.
