On January 24, 2023, a tragic vehicular collision occurred on US-101 in San Francisco County, leaving one man seriously injured. The victim, Mehmet Akyuz, has now taken legal action against the alleged perpetrator of this accident. On January 2, 2025, Akyuz filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Francisco against Christian Gonzalez and other unnamed defendants.
The case revolves around an incident where Christian Daniel Navarro allegedly operated his vehicle negligently and unlawfully, resulting in a collision with Akyuz's car. According to the complaint filed by Akyuz's attorneys from Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP, Navarro was driving a black 2002 Mercedes CLK 230 when he collided with Akyuz's grey 2015 Toyota Prius. The lawsuit accuses Navarro of violating multiple sections of the California Vehicle Code by driving under the influence and failing to stop at the scene of the accident. Specifically, it cites violations of section 23153(f), which prohibits driving under the influence of drugs causing bodily injury to another person, and section 20001(a), which mandates drivers involved in accidents causing injury or death to stop immediately at the scene.
Akyuz claims that as a direct result of Navarro's reckless behavior, he suffered significant physical injuries along with emotional distress and financial losses due to damage to his vehicle and loss of earnings. The complaint further alleges that Navarro was not acting alone; several unnamed defendants are also implicated as co-conspirators or joint venturers who either owned or had control over the Mercedes or were involved in employing Navarro despite knowing his incompetence as a driver.
The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages for personal injuries sustained during the accident. These include general damages exceeding the court’s jurisdictional minimums for pain and suffering, economic losses related to medical expenses and property damage, as well as interest on any judgment awarded. Additionally, Akyuz demands compensation for past and future lost earnings attributed to his injuries.
Representing Mehmet Akyuz are attorneys Andrew W. Britton and Makena-Kala A. Kershaw from Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP. The case is presided over by judges from the Superior Court of California for San Francisco County under Case No. CGC-25-621106.