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Burbank, California – Authorities have identified the man who died in a suspected alcohol-related wrong-way crash on the Golden State (5) Freeway in Burbank early Sunday morning.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office confirmed that Martin Reyes Gomez, 52, was the driver killed in the collision, which occurred around 3:45 a.m. Sunday on the northbound side of the freeway near Alameda Avenue.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a vehicle traveling northbound in the No. 1 lane struck a southbound car driving the wrong way. A third vehicle then collided with the car that had first hit the wrong-way driver, causing it to overturn and land on its roof.
“All vehicles remained at the scene following the crash,” CHP Officer Shanelle Phillips said. Gomez was pronounced dead inside the vehicle he was driving.
Phillips added that alcohol is believed to have been a factor, though it remains unclear whether the suspected use of alcohol referred specifically to Gomez. The medical examiner listed aortic dissection and rupture, along with atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, as his primary causes of death.
A Sigalert was issued at 4:28 a.m. closing all northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway at Alameda Avenue. The lanes reopened after the alert was canceled at 8:46 a.m.
Can You Still File an Accident Claim if the At-Fault Driver Died?
Yes — you can still file an accident claim even if the at-fault driver died in the crash. In California, compensation claims do not automatically end with the death of the liable party. Instead, your attorney can file a claim against the deceased driver’s insurance policy or, in some cases, through the estate of the person responsible for the accident.
Even when the at-fault driver passes away, victims have the right to seek damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage. California’s personal injury laws allow these claims to continue through civil court, but the process can be more complex and usually requires legal assistance.
If you were injured in a head-on collision or another serious crash where the other driver was killed, working with experienced car accident lawyers in California is essential. Your legal team can investigate the case, communicate with the insurance company, and protect your rights through every stage of the claim.
At Megeredchian Law, our head-on collision attorneys and Burbank personal injury lawyer team have helped countless victims recover the compensation they deserve — even in complex cases involving a deceased liable driver.Call (866) 359-0807 today to schedule your free consultation with a trusted car accident law firm that fights for maximum compensation in every case.