Man Kills Student in Hit-and-Run DUI
San Diego resident Christopher Stockmeyer, 41, pled guilty to hitting a student and then fleeing the scene, according to recent reports. Stockmeyer struck and killed Rachel Morrison, 27, a PhD student at Scripps Institution for Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.
Morrison was crossing the road with a companion when she was hit by Stockmeyer’s vehicle. The impact tossed the young woman into the air where she landed in a cluster of bushes. Stockmeyer fled the scene, but police discovered his license plate at the accident site. They located Stockmeyer at his home along with his vehicle, an Audi A4, which had a cracked windshield and additional damage. Police who located Stockmeyer at his apartment stated that he reeked of alcohol and that prior to the hit-and-run, he had been consuming alcohol with his engineering colleagues at Beachside Grill in Encinitas.
Morrison was transported to Scripps La Jolla Hospital, where she passed away. Stockmeyer, who has two children, pled guilty to four different felony counts, and was sentenced to 11 years in jail.
Hit-and-Runs Injure Hundreds of Pedestrians
Studies performed by The United States Department of Transportation and The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that over a 10-year period, one in five pedestrian deaths were the result of hit-and-run crashes. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety further reports on a fact sheet that approximately 11 percent of all police-reported crashes involve at least one driver who flees the scene. Hit-and-run is clearly a large problem, and pedestrians tend to be victims of hit-and-run drivers at a higher rate than other groups.
What Can I Do If I Am A Victim Of A Hit-and-Run Accident?
If you or a loved one have fallen victim to a hit-and-run driver, remember that there are plenty of advocates available to help you get justice for your injuries. The police will work with you to identify the driver and to bring him or her to justice. However, criminal procedures will not pay for your injury expenses.
Gilleon Law Firm, APC in San Diego, California, has years of experience representing victims who have been affected by motor vehicle accidents. Beginning the road to recovery can be tough, but the Gilleon Law Firm, APC will help you fight to ensure that your rights are protected. When you need strong legal representation, contact Gilleon Law Firm, APC for a free consultation.
