City Of Sacramento Pays Record Settlement In Tragic Baby Death Case
$9.75 million paid to grieving family of Baby Raiden, killed by a Sacramento Police Officer in a car crash.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- After a tremendously painful three-year ordeal and unbearable loss for the family of Baby Raiden Saechao, the City of Sacramento will pay a $9.75 million settlement – believed to be a record in the State of California for an infant death. The Saechao Family took their tragic case to civil court because criminal charges were not filed against the Sacramento Police officer who caused the car crash that killed Raiden, their only child at the time. (Superior Court of the State of California, County of Sacramento, Saechao v. City of Sacramento, et al., 34-2014-00167131)
"We didn't get justice for Raiden on the criminal side, but we finally have justice in this case," said Steve Saechao, Raiden's father. "We never received an apology and the driver was never held accountable and that has left a hole in our hearts. But we can finally start to close this chapter and begin the long process of healing."
On December 17, 2013 on Highway 80 in Rocklin, Steve was driving his 9-month-old son Raiden home when traffic backed up, bringing his car to a complete stop. That's when a vehicle driven by a Sacramento Police Officer slammed into the Saechao car without braking, at 63 m.p.h. The police officer had his children in the car at the time of the crash. The City of Sacramento initially denied that the officer was on the clock and working for the City at the time of the crash, but later accepted liability.
"The police officer rear ended a car not because he was in pursuit but because he was distracted or simply not paying attention," said Attorney John Demas of the Demas Law Group, representing the Saechao Family. "As a community, we hold police officers to higher standard, and his negligence caused a family to suffer a profound and permanent loss."
Baby Raiden, who was properly secured in a rear-facing car seat, suffered serious head injuries at the scene, which was incredibly traumatic for his father and first responders to witness. Raiden survived five days in the hospital, passing away right before Christmas. Making this loss even more tragic for the family, Raiden was considered their "miracle child." The Saechaos endured multiple miscarriages and the death of a newborn due to a rare genetic condition before welcoming healthy and happy Raiden into their lives.
"He was our miracle baby after three pregnancies, and he was perfect," said Steve. "He didn't take away all the pain, but he gave us hope. His eyes and his smile lit up our lives. Then in a split second, because of distracted driving, he was taken away from us."
"I don't have the words to describe the pain and suffering we've endured for more than three years," said Chrystal Saechao, Raiden's mother. "Life can be very, very tough and I had no choice but to get myself back up, to get out of bed and fight for Raiden. We had to prove that our son had value and that he meant something, because criminal charges were never filed and no one seemed to care that a baby was tragically taken from us."
The Placer County District Attorney declined to file criminal charges against the police officer who caused the fatal crash. From there, the matter went to civil court (Superior Court of The State of California, City of Sacramento vs. Saechao Family Case #34-2014-00167131) where attorneys for the City of Sacramento repeatedly tried to deny the officer was on the clock. After a three-year court battle and the start of the civil trial, the City of Sacramento agreed to pay a record-setting $9.75 million settlement.
"With the settlement, the City acknowledged that police officers who are trained in protecting the safety and well being of people can and should be held accountable when their reckless and careless behavior causes injury to those they are supposed to protect," said Demas.
The Saechao Family plans to donate a portion of the settlement to raise awareness about the danger of distracted driving and cell phone use behind the wheel.
"If we can share Raiden's story and his tragic death with others, especially teenagers who are texting and driving, maybe we can save a life out there," said Steve. "Maybe there is a chance that we can prevent another family from suffering like we are."
Demas Law Group
The Demas Law Group is a leading Sacramento law firm handling a broad range of plaintiff personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout California, including the record Sacramento County settlement in the Tortured Teen Case. Founder John Demas has been selected as a northern California Super Lawyer for several years, an honor reserved for just 5% of attorneys and 1% of plaintiff personal injury lawyers and has been recognized as one of the top 100 attorneys in Northern California and one of the top 25 attorneys in Sacramento. He also is a member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). For more information, please visit www.demaslawgroup.com.
Contact: John Demas, [email protected], 916-444-0100
SOURCE Demas Law Group, P.C.
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