Costa Mesa Man Ordered to Stand Trial for Newport Beach Pedestrian Accident

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Samer Habbas, Esq

A Costa Mesa driver will stand trial for allegedly striking and killing a pedestrian with his car after texting on his cell phone while driving. As recounted in this Los Angeles Times article, an Orange County judge rejected the driver’s defense request to reduce the charges after prosecutors suggested that the man’s use of his cell phone and other factors suggested he was operating his vehicle in a negligent manner.

The 42-year-old driver was charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. Prosecutors produced phone records that indicated that the driver had been sending and receiving text messages for 30 minutes before the Newport Beach pedestrian accident occurred around 8:30 a.m. on Westcliff Drive near Dover Drive in Newport Beach. The accident victim was reportedly struck and killed while crossing the street in a marked crosswalk.

One accident witness told police officials that just before the accident occurred, the driver behind the Costa Mesa driver had to honk his horn to get the driver to notice that the light had changed to green.

The prosecutor in the case said, “I’m not saying that I can prove or have to prove that he was texting when he hit the victim. There’s definitely a bunch of inferences that he wasn’t looking. His phone was open and [next to] the driver’s seat…gross negligence is a state of mind. Texting is just one of the things he did wrong here. He had put the public at risk long before he ran this person over.”

Newport Beach pedestrian accident attorney Samer Habbas has been helping pedestrian accident victims and their families for many years. He has earned a reputation as a Newport Beach and Orange County pedestrian accident lawyer who works hard for every client. Call his Los Angeles personal injury law firm today to schedule a free consultation.

Samer Habbas, Esq

Samer Habbas is a California attorney with over 18 years of experience in personal injury law. Throughout his career, he has successfully recovered over $300 million for his clients, solidifying his reputation as a leading advocate in the field. Samer swiftly gained recognition for his adept negotiation skills and unwavering dedication to his clients. His practice spans a wide range of personal injury cases, including car accidents, dog bites, funeral home abuse, premises liability, and wrongful death. Samer is known for his compassionate approach and commitment to securing favorable outcomes for his clients. His expertise has earned him the trust and respect of both his clients and his peers within the legal community. He is also deeply invested in giving back to his community. He actively participates in pro bono work and volunteers his time to various charitable organizations. Samer is a champion for those who have been wronged, leveraging his extensive experience and expertise to make a meaningful difference in the lives of his clients and his community.