SACRAMENTO, CA — Nearly 100 grieving families gathered Sunday evening on the west steps of the California State Capitol, joining the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims to honor loved ones lost in preventable car and motorcycle crashes— and to demand stronger accountability for drivers who kill.
Among them was Allison Lyman, who tearfully recalled her son Connor Lopez, a 23-year-old piano teacher and motorcycle enthusiast from Elk Grove. Lopez died on April 23 when a driver made an illegal left turn into his path as he rode home from the gym.
“They call these crimes nonviolent,” Lyman said, pausing before adding: “They are violent deaths.”
Behind her stood a display of miniature orange traffic cones illuminated by small lights, each holding a photo of a crash victim, silent reminders of families forever changed.
A Call for Stronger Penalties and Safer Roads
The vigil was organized by Erika Pringle, whose brother Andrew Pringle, 21, was killed in Rosemont two years earlier to the day when a driver ran a red light. The driver received probation for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter — a punishment Pringle called “a betrayal of justice.”
Under current California law, fatal crashes rarely lead to felony charges unless prosecutors prove gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Families at the rally said this standard is too high and fails to reflect the severity of their losses.
“These aren’t accidents — they are preventable deaths caused by reckless decisions,” said Michelle Silva, whose husband José Luis Silva, a former Marine, was killed while riding his motorcycle in midtown Sacramento last year.
Silva told the crowd, “He was my everything. And I know each of you has lost your everything as well.”
Legal Rights for Victims’ Families
Under California Code of Civil Procedure §377.60, families who lose a loved one in a motorcycle or vehicle collision may pursue a wrongful death claim to recover compensation for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support
- Emotional distress and loss of companionship
If the driver’s negligence or illegal conduct—such as running a red light or unsafe turning caused the fatality, they can be held liable under Civil Code §1714 (Duty of Care).
However, many families argue that even when negligence is proven, criminal penalties remain too lenient, offering little sense of justice.
Motorcyclist Attorney — Fighting for Safer Roads and Justice
At Motorcyclist Attorney, we stand with the families of riders and drivers lost to preventable crashes. Our mission goes beyond legal representation; we fight for safer roads and accountability.
✅ We help families pursue wrongful death claims and justice for their loved ones.
✅ We investigate negligence and advocate for stronger safety laws.
✅ We offer free, confidential consultations to victims across California.
Every name remembered at the Capitol represents a life that should still be here. Together, we can push for a California where safety is prioritized, justice is delivered, and no more families have to grieve by candlelight.
📞 Call Motorcyclist Attorney today for compassionate legal guidance.
The medical treatment you need. The money you deserve.
