An officer with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) was tragically killed in a collision with an Uber car on a dangerous roadway in Simi Valley, California.

Heather Monroe was a 30-year-old resident of Simi Valley who worked as an LAPD officer. She was off duty and traveling as a passenger in a private vehicle on Sycamore Drive just after 2:00 a.m. when she was involved in the fatal auto accident. The private car was headed southbound on Sycamore Drive and collided with an Uber vehicle while passing through the intersection with Cochran Street. At the time of the collision, the Uber car was headed eastbound on Cochran Street and also attempting to pass through the intersection.

Other motorists on the road saw the accident and dialed 911 to alert local authorities. The Simi Valley Police Department dispatched officers and emergency crews to the scene, where they saw the aftermath of the crash. Emergency workers removed the injured drivers and passengers from the two cars, but Monroe’s injuries were catastrophic and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the car in which Monroe was a passenger was also injured as a result of the accident and required emergency medical treatment. She was later listed in stable condition at a local hospital. Meanwhile, the two people in the Uber car sustained minor physical injuries in the crash, but they were both expected to survive their injuries. The Uber driver needed to be checked out by doctors at an area hospital.

After the crash, law enforcement shut down the Simi Valley intersection for several hours while crews worked to remove debris from the roadway and clear the accident scene.

Liability for Car Accidents in California

Detectives with the Simi Valley Police Department Traffic Bureau are investigating the fatal crash and trying to determine if one of the drivers was at fault for the collision. Although the investigation is currently in its preliminary stages, officials have already indicated that they believe that one of the cars might have run a red light at the intersection. A deputy chief with the police department said that “somebody may have violated the right-of-way that created this collision.” Investigators are in the process of getting surveillance camera footage from local businesses in the hopes that it will show the moments leading up to the fatal car accident and shed some light on what happened.

It is also possible that alcohol and/or drugs were involved in the accident, according to law enforcement officials. The reality is that intoxicated drivers pose serious risks to other motorists and passengers on California roads and highways. No matter how safe you are while driving, it may be impossible to avoid a drunk driver or a distracted driver who suddenly swerves into your lane.

When another motorist negligently causes an accident, they could potentially be liable for damages in a personal injury lawsuit. Anyone who is injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, whether it’s another driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian, may be able to file a civil lawsuit to secure compensation for their medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering.

For additional information about the fatal Simi Valley accident, view the KTLA.com article, “Off-Duty LAPD Officer Killed in 2 Car Crash in Simi Valley Identified as 30-Year-Old Female: Police.”

If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a car accident on a Los Angeles road or highway, you should talk to a qualified personal injury attorney immediately. At The Paris Firm, we can help. Contact The Paris Firm now to schedule a free initial consultation.