Archive for the ‘Hit and run auto accident’ Category

Boy Trick-or-Treating Hit in Orem Pedestrian Accident

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

3-year-old, Lucas Grilli, is recovering after being hit by a car while trick-or-treating on Saturday, October 31, 2009. The driver hit him and ran, and that driver is still at large. This Utah hit-and-run pedestrian accident occurred at around 7:20 p.m. as the boy, 3-year-old Lucas Grilli, stepped out of a car to trick-or-treat. Thomas stepped out off the sidewalk and onto the street at 1340 N. 1200 West just as the car was driving by.

“When we saw him, we all screamed and tried to grab him,” said Grilli’s mother, Gloria Garica. “We couldn’t see who hit him. I just saw my boy . I heard a noice like his leg or something cracked, and he kind of rolled to the side of the road.” According to KSL news, the dark colored pickup stopped for a short time and then drove off. There was another witness but the he too was focused on Lucas and didn’t get a great look at the vehicle.

The boy was taken to Utah Valley Medical Center and then flown to Primary Children’s Medical Center. He broke his leg and his jaw but is expected to make a full recovery without surgery. Mrs. Garcia pleads for the person who hit Lucas to come forward and accept responsibility. Anyone with information on this Utah hit-and-run pedestrian accident is asked to contact Orem police at 801-229-7070.

Obviously, a motorist has the obligation to both drive safely as well as to stop if they have been involved in a collision, whether with another car or a human being. I hope that they can locate the person who hit him soon. In the meantime, Lucas Grilli’s parents should be making a claim through their own auto insurance. There is at least $3,000 available for medical bills and additional money, $20 per day, available to his parents that care for him following this pedestrian crash. Ultimately, if the driver of the other car cannot be found, his parents may be able to make an “un-insured” claim on their policy.

I would recommend that the parents contact an experienced auto pedestrian lawyer who can advise them on the options that are available to them. I wish young Lucas a speedy recovery.

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Utah Construction Hit and Run Accident Suspect Apprehended

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

We recently reported the tragic hit and run accident that claimed the life of 20 year-old, Brayden Bleddoes. According to KSL news, the man believed to have fled the scene after hitting Brayden has been apprehended by police. 49-year-old Michael Todd Brinkman, was booked at Salt Lake County Jail just after 7 p.m. on Monday, October 27, 2009. He is held on charges of leaving the scene of a fatal crash.

Brayden’s father Jared Beddoes said, “He was a fun, fun kid. He always had a smile on his face, and he always was willing to give a hug.”

State Troopers say the driver, Brinkman, stopped for a second after hitting Mr. Bleddoes and then took off. Another car was able to follow the truck and get his license plate number. The witness was able to alert authorities who immediately began looking for Brinkman.

He wasn’t at his Salt Lake County home, but police were able to locate him through his cell phone. Over the phone, he did admit to being in the area of the accident and did admit to hitting something in a construction zone.

Brayden’s father is grateful for the quick apprehension but admits that in the end his son is still gone. “It doesn’t change what happened. It’s done. It’s never going to bring my kid back,” said Jared Beddoes.

According to UDOT, drivers have plenty of warning of the construction work. Brinkman knew he had hit something but fled the scene anyway.

Obviously, apprehending the driver will do nothing to bring back this young man but it will help the family hold this driver accountable for his reckless actions. I offer my heartfelt condolences as the Beddoes family mourns this loss.

Ron Kramer is a Utah personal injury attorney who holds at-fault parties responsible for their actions.

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Hit-and-run suspect John Bishop Could Face Automobile Homicide

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

Police are close to arresting 34-year-old John Bishop who was allegedly the driver in a high speed hit-and-run auto accident on I-80 Wednesday April 1rst. KSL news reports Bishop sought medical treatment from an Intermountain Healthcare Hospital about 1am on Thursday morning.

Bishop, a top executive for Global Marketing Alliance in Salt Lake, was out celebrating his birthday with five other friends, Clifton R. Tolboe, Trent Longhurst, Jonah Lor, Paul Castellanos and Jason Palmer at a Salt Lake nightclub. Witnesses say he was intoxicated at the club then left with his friends to drive home in his white BMW. He was driving at speeds upwards of 100 mph on I-80 before he slammed into the back of a Mercedes. Passenger Jason Palmer was thrown from the vehicle and died on the scene. Other passengers in the BMW sustained serious injuries during the wreck. Kathleen and Andrew Blank, from Park City, were in the Mercedes. Blank was taken to the hospital with back injuries.

Bishop is denying involvement in the accident but officer Mike Holt of the UHP says they have plenty of evidence and witnesses to convict Bishop. “We do have witnesses that say he was the driver. He has not admitted to being the driver but, again, we do have witnesses that say he was the driver”. Bishop could face charges of automobile homicide.

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