On December 6, 2022, at approximately 6 AM, Lionel Rodriguez ran out of gas as he was traveling southbound on I-5, just south of Sutterville Road in Sacramento. He pulled over to the right shoulder of the roadway, activated his emergency lights, and called his brother, Juan Carlos, for assistance. Juan Carlos arrived and began to fill the gas tank of the disabled vehicle. The brothers and their vehicles were on the road shoulder at all times.
At approximately 6:15 a.m., Jonathon Nangle was traveling southbound on I-5, at approximately 70 miles an hour in the far right lane. Nangle, an employee of the city of Sacramento, was heading to his office on Freeport Boulevard. He drifted over the fog line and struck the disabled vehicle and both brothers; both were killed. A tanker truck that was traveling behind the defendant captured his vehicle’s movements on a dashcam.
Juan Carlos was a journeyman plumber who provided the bulk of the family’s financial support. He was a loving husband and father who had played a critical role in the lives of his children. His kids exclusively referred to him as “Papa Bear.” He was just 33 years old.
The plaintiff team contended that the defendant was negligent in operating his motor vehicle and that his negligence was the sole cause of the decedent’s death. Because the defendant was in the course and scope of his employment with city of Sacramento, the city was vicariously responsible for his negligence.
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