Family Files Lawsuit After 12-Year-Old Daughter Killed Paddle Boarding

The family of a 12-year-old girl who was killed while paddle boarding in Mission Bay last summer has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Her family is now suing the man who was accused of hitting her while on a Jet Ski along with several other named defendants. The family filed the lawsuit in June 2024, about a year after their daughter was killed when she was run over by a Jet Ski as she was on a paddle board in De Anza Cove at Mission Bay in July 2023.

The man accused of killing the girl, a 19-year-old, is facing charges of felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. He was arrested in November 2023, about four months after the incident occurred. At the time of the crash, he was 18 years old and a resident of Los Angeles County. The defendant has pleaded not guilty and denies all criminal charges filed against him. According to prosecutors, the defendant was going 10x the speed limit at the time of the crash. The speed limit in that area was 5 mph. He was going 50 mph. He faces up to 6 years behind bars if he is convicted of the offense. A jury trial has been set for November 4.

Including the 19-year-old man, the wrongful death lawsuit names several other defendants including two other individuals who were riding Jet Skis at the time of the accident, the two owners of the Jet Skis, the City of San Diego, and more.

Elements of negligence 

The parents’ wrongful death lawsuits claim that 8 minutes before the deadly incident, a San Diego lifeguard pulled over the 19-year-old man and two others for excessive speed and reckless operation. It also claims the 19-year-old man did not receive proper training on how to operate the Jet Skis safely, and did not have a California Boaters card. In other words, they should have never been operating the Jet Skis in the first place. Hence, the family wants to be able to hold the City of San Diego, San Diego County, and the State of California liable for failing to enforce the law and ensuring the safety of guests. Had they enforced the law, the 12-year-old girl would still be alive today.

The jet skier is liable for the accident. He directly caused the death of a child while violating the speed limit in the area. He is being directly sued by the family, which can be difficult sometimes. Individuals can discharge debts accrued by personal injury judgments in bankruptcy in most cases. So, even if he is convicted of a crime, he may never have to pay the plaintiffs a dime.

Talk to an Oakland, CA Personal Injury Lawyer Today 

Venardi Zurada represents the interests of those who have been injured or killed in boating accidents. Call our Oakland personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your case right away.

Source:

fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/family-files-wrongful-death-lawsuit-after-daughter-killed-while-paddle-boarding/