Lesbia Marta Rocha Castillo has filed a lawsuit against Robert Gee Ming Gong, alleging negligence in the tragic death of her husband, Jose Antonio Flores Espinoza. The complaint was filed on December 5, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. Castillo claims that Gong's reckless driving led to the fatal accident that took her husband's life.
According to the complaint, Lesbia Marta Rocha Castillo is pursuing legal action following the death of her husband, Jose Antonio Flores Espinoza, who passed away on December 7, 2022. The incident occurred when Espinoza was struck by a vehicle driven by Robert Gee Ming Gong while he was walking as a pedestrian on Geneva Avenue near Prague Street in San Francisco. Castillo asserts that Gong was operating a 2022 Tesla at the time and failed to drive with reasonable care and caution. The lawsuit further alleges that Gong's actions were not only negligent but also violated California Vehicle Code section 22350 by driving at an unsafe speed for the conditions present.
The plaintiff accuses Gong and unnamed defendants (referred to as DOES 1 through 50) of failing to properly train and supervise him, which contributed to the accident. It is alleged that these defendants acted as agents for one another and authorized each other's actions within their scope of employment or agency. This network of responsibility extends liability beyond Gong alone, implicating his employers or associates in the wrongful death claim.
Castillo seeks damages for both general and special losses incurred due to her husband's untimely death. She highlights the profound emotional impact of losing her spouse, emphasizing his role as a loving and supportive partner whose presence provided companionship, affection, and moral support. Additionally, she seeks compensation for financial losses related to funeral expenses and lost future earnings or benefits that would have been provided by Espinoza had he lived.
In this pursuit of justice, Castillo demands a jury trial and requests various forms of relief from the court. These include pre-judgment interest on any awarded damages and coverage for legal costs associated with bringing forth this suit. Her legal representation comes from Hussein A. Chahine and Eric H. Godoy of SoCal Injury Lawyers based in Downey, California.
This case is presided over by Judge Marivic Viray under Case ID:CGC24620342. As it progresses through the judicial system, it underscores critical issues surrounding road safety responsibilities and employer accountability when employee actions result in tragic consequences.