Infant Killed in Weekend Crash was Unrestrained

May 03,2016

An infant was killed in a crash on Highway 74 Sunday morning. Investigators say the 5-month-old girl was not restrained in the proper car seat while riding in a two-seater Porsche with the driver and another passenger. The vehicle was heading north on Highway 74 toward Palm Desert when it crashed through a barrier and fell 200 feet down a steep cliff. Police say the infant was thrown from the vehicle during the crash, which occurred around 8 a.m.

The vehicle’s other occupants, 51-year-old Marcus Green of Thermal and 22-year-old Kristen Lauer of Rancho Mirage, were both airlifted to Desert Regional Medical Center. Lauer reportedly suffered a major back injury and Green was hospitalized with less serious injuries.

The accident shut down Highway 74 in both directions until about 2 p.m. Drivers heading south from Palm Desert were turned around near the Art Smith trailhead entrance.

The infant killed in the crash was not properly strapped into a car seat. She was also riding in a vehicle intended to seat only two people. This obvious neglect of child car safety is a glaring reminder of how crucial it is to properly secure children in the car. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death to children in the U.S. In 2013, 638 children ages 12 and under were killed in auto accidents, and 38% of them were not restrained. According to the CDC, car seats have been shown to reduce the risk of death for infants under 1 year by 71%.

“Based on the statistics, this baby’s life would likely have been saved if she had been properly restrained in a car seat. There is simply no excuse for not securing your children in the car,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.
DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.