Dashcam Footage Shows LAPD Vehicle Fatally Striking Skateboarder in Highland Park

The dashcam and body-cam video footage of the fatal collision between officers and a skateboarder in Highland Park has been released. The incident occurred on September 19, 025 at about 7:17pm in Highland Park, California. Reportedly, officers were responding to a police perimeter on Figueroa Street and Piemont Avenue with their lights and sirens on when the incident occurred.

According to the authorities, the officer behind the wheel of the police cruiser moved into the center median to navigate through traffic when 30-year-old Gerardo “Jerry” Estrada, who was riding a skateboard, was struck.

Officers pulled over and requested an ambulance. Shortly after, officers located the victim wedged under a parked car. Officers removed Estrada from under the vehicle and rendered aid until paramedics arrived. Medical personnel with the fire department declared Estrada dead at the scene.

Reportedly, the authorities have not confirmed the speed that the police vehicle was traveling at the time of the incident, although they have stated that the officers were not driving at high speeds. Witnesses at a nearby carnival, however, stated that the impact was so loud that they initially thought that two vehicles had crashed.

The incident remains under investigation by the LAPD’s Traffic Coordination Division, Multidisciplinary Investigation Team.

In the case discussed above, the family of the victim could have the right to file a lawsuit. If you are interested in exploring the legal options available to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to our experienced legal team as soon as possible. You may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim and recover compensation. Contact the experienced lawyers at Kenmore Law Group as soon as possible.

Can the Police Department be Liable for Incidents involving their Police Vehicles and Pedestrians or Skateboarders

Yes, under California law, public entities, including police departments, can be held accountable for the negligent actions of their employees, given that the employee was acting within the scope of employment. However, we must highlight that there may be certain immunities and exceptions that may apply when police vehicles responding to calls are involved in incidents.

In general, police vehicles are required to follow absolutely all traffic laws. However, exceptions can apply if both of the following points are true:

• The officer is pursuing a suspect, responding to a fire alarm, or responding to an emergency call
• The vehicle is using both their sirens and lights visible from the front of the vehicle

In other words, if a police vehicle with their lights and sirens activated are involved in an incident, they may be immune from any negligence claims.

Still, this does not mean that immunity always applies. Officers still have the duty to maintain a “due regard for safety,” meaning that officers cannot act with reckless disregard for the safety of the public. So, even in cases where immunity may apply, if the officer was speeding excessively in a crowded street/area, failed to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, etc., then the officer/police department could face liability.

Do I have the Right to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Yes, if a member of your family died in an incident involving a police vehicle, you could have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. You could have the right to pursue a claim against the police department involved. Although the process of filing a lawsuit against a police department or any other government entity can be intimidating, we urge victims and their families to seek legal help as soon as possible.

Can I Recover Any Compensation?
Based on the details surrounding the claim, you could be entitled to receive compensation. The different categories of compensation available for recovery could include the following:

• Medical costs
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Wrongful death benefits
• Legal costs
• And more

Our police vehicle accident lawyers here at our firm are more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to fight for your rights and recover the maximum payout available for your claim. Whether our team has to negotiate to reach a settlement or take your claim to trial to reach a verdict, you can be certain that our lawyers will do everything possible to ensure that you are fairly compensated for the wrongful death of your loved one.

Contact the Kenmore Law Group for Legal Help

Our team has decades of experience and is fully committed to getting victims and their families justice after catastrophic injuries like the one described above. If a member of your family was killed in a crash involving a police vehicle, you could have the right to sue. To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the legal options available to you and your family, contact our team. We offer free case reviews, which include free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our team will be available to answer your questions, address all of your concerns, and give you absolutely all the information that you need to confidently pursue your claim. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact our team at your earliest convenience.

Zero-Fee Guarantee: you will not have to worry about paying any upfront legal costs for our legal services. In addition, our firm works on a contingency basis, meaning that you will not be responsible for paying anything at all if your claim is not successful. If you do not win, you will not have to pay any legal costs at all.

Contact our police vehicle accident lawyers today for more information!