In September last year, the streets of Napa witnessed a tragedy that cost 70-year-old Charles Corrigan his life when he was hit by a car while pushing his shopping cart across a crosswalk. Today, the driver faces vehicular manslaughter charges. According to the official press release from the City of Napa, the Napa Police Department and neighboring police departments found through detailed reconstruction and analysis of the crash that fatigue and excessive speed were key contributors to the fatal incident.
The incident unfolded on Soscol Avenue and Third Street. Oblivious to the approaching danger, Corrigan entered the intersection on a yellow light that turned red just as he stepped off the curb. Eva Zuniga, driving a grey sedan, was coming east from downtown Napa and struck Corrigan without braking or swerving, her car moving at approximately 40 miles per hour, double the posted speed limit. Zuniga, who was neither intoxicated nor under the influence of drugs, volunteered for a blood test and cooperated with the authorities after the accident.
Investigations pinpointed the primary collision factor as a violation of 22350 VC, meaning unsafe speed for the conditions present at the time, with an associated violation of 21950(a) VC, failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. These findings have led to the Napa Police Department's recommendation that Zuniga be prosecuted for vehicular manslaughter, a charge outlined in section 192(c)(2) PC.
