Nanny Dies, Toddler Survives Hit by SUV in Santaluz

On the morning of Friday, February 1, 2013, a SUV female driver ran a red light and hit a 14-month old toddler in a stroller along with his nanny, Monserrat “Monse” Mendez, while walking across the intersection crosswalk.

After the devastating accident, the toddler was taken to Rady Children’s Hospital where he fought for his life in the Intensive Care Unit for a week. We are relieved to say that the young boy was released a week after the accident, February 8, and is now home recuperating from a skull fracture, pelvic fracture, and broken rib.

Mendez was also taken to the hospital after the accident, but had suffered severe injuries and later passed away in the hospital. We are saddened by this tragedy, but also extremely grateful to her for possibly saving the child’s life by giving her own life.

Since investigation is currently underway, the exact identity of the SUV driver has not been made public. The SUV driver has been cooperative with the police and has not been charged in the fatal accident. According to NBC 7, the crosswalk accident took place in the 14700 block of Via Verrazzano and Camino Del Sur.

Drivers that disregard the rules of the road, such as running a red light, can severely injury and/or kill innocent people. The toddler’s parents and Mendez family have a legal right to seek justice against the at-fault party for severe harm the nanny and toddler had to endure. Contact our professional San Diego pedestrian accident attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, who has fought and won against negligent drivers for over a decade.

If you want to help the Mendez family through this tough time, please visit any Wells Fargo Branch and deposit your contributions to the Monserrat Mendez Memorial Fund.

Ross Jurewitz

Ross Jurewitz is the founder and managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group, a San Diego personal injury attorney law firm. These San Diego injury accident lawyers specialize in helping people seriously injured in a variety of accidents throughout San Diego County and California.

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