Rodney Wafford ID'd as Man Killed in Piedra Road Crash in Fresno County
Fresno County, California (November 22, 2021) – The Fresno County Coroner's Bureau has identified the man who died after being hit while trying to help get his next-door neighbor's truck out of a ditch with a tractor Saturday evening in Fresno County as Rodney Wafford, 56 of Sanger.
Authorities responded to the area of Piedra Road and Weldon Avenue at about 6:00 p.m. Saturday, November 20, to investigate the report of a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a tractor.
Upon arrival, the officers determined that a truck was stuck in a ditch and the driver went to ask his next-door neighbor for help getting it out.
Wafford was preparing to pull the truck out of a ditch when a Chevy Venture van, carrying a mother and her five children, slammed into his tractor.
1 Killed, 6 Injured in Fresno County Crash
Wafford died upon the impact.
The woman and her five children, whose ages ranged from 8 to 16 years, were transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.
Authorities said the area was dark and the tractor did not have lights on it.
The crash remains under investigation.
Traffic Collisions in Fresno
Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be a traumatic experience for the victims and their families. The number of serious auto accidents in Fresno is above average compared to other cities in the state. Nearly 10,897 collisions were reported to have happened between 2003 and 2016 on the city's roads, including those involving major bodily injuries and fatal crashes. At least 270 people were killed during the period, while above 15000 people sustained various types of injuries. Most of the collisions happened on the state highways with approximately 35.5 % of the total traffic incidents. Nearly 8.6 % of accidents were pedestrian-related. Bicyclists accounted for 5.4 % while motorcycle riders were 4.7 %.
When you are involved in a traffic collision, you and your family may be forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars on medical bills, property damages, and maybe funeral services, while also enduring endless mental and emotional suffering.
Although the exact cause of the accident above was not immediately determined, the authorities will continue to gather more information, including witness statements to establish the cause of the accident. However, Pacific Attorney Group's managing attorney P. Mark Shayani believes that a separate and independent investigation into the crash is equally important. “A car accident attorney will investigate, research, and review every case thoroughly and explain to clients their rights and answer all questions to their satisfaction,” he said.
Victims of traffic accidents have an enforceable right under law to full and fair compensation for the costs and losses they suffer. Whether they receive what the law provides for them or whether they receive any compensation at all depends on how well their attorneys can pursue their claims through the intricacies of the state civil legal processes.
Call a California Auto Accident Attorney Today
If you have been involved in a traffic accident and got injured, it is important to get in touch with a litigator immediately for guidance. At Pacific Attorney Group, we specialize in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. We assist accident victims and their families to seek justice. Our attorneys will pursue the justice you deserve and will work hard to obtain fair compensation for your losses, injuries, and suffering.