Family of Woman Killed in Crosswalk Sues Covina, W. Covina, State, County and Driver for Wrongful Death

COVINA, CA - Relatives of a Covina woman killed along with her two dogs last year in San Dimas after she was struck by a pickup truck while crossing a street are suing the city, the alleged driver and several other government entities.

The family members of Violet Margaret Lopez-Prieto, 62, filed the negligence/wrongful death suit Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court. In addition to the city of San Dimas, the complaint names the state, the cities of Covina and West Covina, Los Angeles County and driver James Gregory Schniep. The complaint seeks unspecified damages.

A representative for the city of San Dimas did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment.

Lopez-Prieto died at the scene of the crash that happened about 10:10 p.m. last March 14 at the intersection of Badillo and Cypress streets, authorities said. She was crossing the intersection when the driver, traveling west on Badillo, allegedly failed to stop for a red light, according to authorities.

Lopez-Prieto lived in Covina, less than a half-mile from where she was struck.

The suit alleges the intersection is dangerous due to its angled design and because drivers approaching it can become confused by seeing traffic signals for more than one direction of travel. In addition, the crosswalk is unusually long and no island exists to help pedestrians get out of the way of traffic, the suit states.

--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock