(UPDATE: Here's the story on the funeral for the three kids. Heartbreaking.)
One thing that has kind of bugged me this week was a press conference held by the family lawyer who is already talking lawsuit. Certainly, a suit against the truck driver that caused the accident and the company that employs him is reasonable and expected, but what bothered me was the lawyer's statements that indicate a planned suit against CalTrans because the accident occurred on a busy stretch of the I-5. The lawyer has a history of having won a big case against CalTrans in another freeway accident.
At the peril of sounding callous, this bothers me. This accident was caused by an inattentive driver who failed to recognize a dangerous situation and an innocent family paid the price. It was not the fault of the freeway. There's no design flaws, visibility problems, or anything else that would cause the road to be a contributory factor in the accident. It's a busy stretch of road, and although there have been accidents there before, serious wrecks like this one have been rare.
If you want to blame somebody for heavy traffic on the I-5, how about filing a suit against the environmental activists and legislators who are doing everything they can to stop the completion of the 241 Toll Road from Mission Viejo to Camp Pendleton. Completion of that road would greatly relieve the pressure on the I-5 and would make the commute through southern Orange County much safer. However, because some bunnies might be displaced through a remote section of a State park, the environwackos and their allies in Congress are doing everything they can to block the road and the progress that would result. If you're looking for a crime, look there.
To blame CalTrans and the freeway is to blame the taxpayers of California, because we are the ones who will get stuck with the bill should there be a successful suit or settlement against the State. We all grieve for the loss, but we're not all responsible.
UPDATE 7/30: Since the comments seem to be generating more heat than light, I've decided to shut down comments on this post and other posts relating to this tragedy. My heart goes out to the family and I hope God will grant them the peace they need.
Related posts:
After the Funeral Comes the Lawyers - 5/12/07
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