On August 12, 2022, a Ventura County Supervisor named Carmen Ramirez was hit by a pickup truck as she was crossing the street. She was headed to a Friday night concert at Heritage Square. Carmen was walking along a crosswalk at Seventh and A streets around 6:40 p.m. before she was hit and killed.

According to the Ventura County Star, the wrongful death incident is currently under investigation by the Oxnard Police Department. The authorities have identified the driver but will not reveal his information as he has not been arrested.

WHO WAS THE AT-FAULT DRIVER?

The driver of the pickup truck was a 38-year-old man from Oxnard. He was headed westbound down Seventh Street in a 2020 GMC Sierra 2500. He was alone in the vehicle at the time. 

There were stop signs on all corners of the four-way intersection. Also, the crosswalks were clearly marked.

Police officials stated that the truck driver came to a complete stop at the intersection. He yielded to another vehicle that was heading southbound on A Street.

WHY DID THE DRIVER CAUSE THIS WRONGFUL DEATH ACCIDENT?

Police confirmed the reports that were provided by witnesses. The witnesses claim that Carmen Ramirez was walking southbound across Seventh Street, toward Heritage Square. She was in the crosswalk, on the west side of the intersection before she was hit by a pickup truck.

While the driver continued westbound through the intersection, he hit and killed Ramirez. The at-fault driver remained on the scene and fully cooperated with the investigators.

Based on video evidence from the scene, authorities were able to note that Ramirez was the only pedestrian in the crosswalk at the time of the accident.

WAS THE AT-FAULT DRIVER IMPAIRED?

The Oxnard Police Department said that during an initial evaluation by officers, the driver showed zero evidence of impairment due to drug or alcohol use.

It was later confirmed by preliminary results of the driver’s toxicology report from the Ventura County Sheriff’s forensic services bureau that there was no presence of drugs or alcohol.

The truck driver was headed directly toward the direction of the setting sun before hitting Ramirez. Investigators are continuing to research whether sunlight glare impacted the driver’s visibility.

Furthermore, traffic investigators are reviewing the primary and secondary factors that contributed to the wrongful death accident.

WHO WAS CARMEN RAMIREZ?

A sign titled “Carmen 4 ever.” Photo Credit: VC Star

Ramirez was a California attorney who previously served on the Oxnard City Council before she was elected to the Ventura county Board of Supervisors in 2020. She was the first Latina to serve on this board. She was voted board chair this year. The successful woman held this title at the time of her tragic death.

Officials stated that Governor Gavin Newsom will appoint her replacement until the rest of her term expires in January 2025.

Prior to her life in office, Ramirez spent decades working as a legal aid attorney. In this position, she helped the poor, farmworkers, immigrants, and many others.

VENTURA COUNTY COMING TOGETHER FOR CARMEN

Carmen Ramirez’s death brought an outpouring of grief across Ventura County and beyond. In August, the County of Ventura issued a statement mourning her loss.

Supervisor Matt LaVere said in the statement, “Carmen was a public servant in the truest sense of the term. Through her leadership and community engagement, thousands of lives were changed for the better. Carmen was one of a kind and we will deeply miss her presence on the board. It was an honor to call a close friend and confidant.”

Oxnard police urges anyone with information about the collision to call Cpl. Andrew Pinkstaff at 805-385-7750.

Our hearts go out to Carmen’s friends and family.