A tragic collision on a notoriously dangerous stretch of highway has led to a lawsuit against the State of California's Department of Transportation. On August 21, 2024, Paris Newland filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California for Ventura County against Caltrans, alleging negligence and dangerous conditions on public property.
The case stems from an incident that occurred on February 27, 2023, when Newland was driving eastbound on CA-126 Highway near Cavin Road. Due to wet road conditions from recent rain, her vehicle lost traction and veered into westbound traffic, resulting in a head-on collision with another car driven by Manuel Aringa. The crash left Newland with permanent injuries and claimed the life of Esperanza Aringa, who was a passenger in the other vehicle.
Newland's complaint details the hazardous nature of CA-126 Highway, known locally as "Blood Alley" due to its high frequency of fatal accidents. According to the filing, between 1990 and 1994 alone, at least 34 people died in crashes on this highway. A survey conducted in 2014 revealed that between 2006 and 2012, there were 320 crashes on a seven-mile stretch of this road, resulting in nine fatalities. The complaint also states that between February and September of 2016, there were eight fatality crashes involving cross-median collisions.
The plaintiff alleges that Caltrans was aware of these dangers but failed to take adequate measures to prevent such incidents. "Defendant CALTRANS knew that the SUBJECT HIGHWAY and SUBJECT LOCATION were designed in such a way as to create an alarmingly high frequency of cross-median, head-on crashes," reads the complaint. Despite this knowledge, no significant steps were taken to mitigate these risks.
Newland is seeking general damages for pain and suffering, special damages for medical expenses and lost wages, incidental damages related to transportation costs incurred due to her injuries, pre-judgment interest as allowed by law under Section 3291 of the Civil Code of California, and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Paris Newland is Taylor Gaines from Batta Fulkerson Law Group. The case is being presided over by Judge [Name] under Case ID: 2024CU PP029143.