City of San Diego Blames Family of Wrong-Way McLaren Driver for Deaths of Mother and Daughter

Negligence and Wrongful Death Lawsuit Settled

The City of San Diego has agreed to pay $6.125 million to the family of a mother and daughter who were killed in a horrific wrong-way McLaren crash in 2020.

The settlement comes after the family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city, alleging that its negligence contributed to the crash. The lawsuit alleged that the city failed to properly maintain the road where the crash occurred, and that it failed to take adequate steps to prevent wrong-way drivers from entering the freeway.

The city has admitted no wrongdoing as part of the settlement, but it has agreed to pay the family $6.125 million to resolve the lawsuit. The family's attorney said that the settlement is a "vindication" for the family, and that it sends a message to the city that it must do more to prevent wrong-way driving crashes.

The crash occurred on July 21, 2020, when a McLaren sports car driven by Omar Awan, 22, was traveling the wrong way on Interstate 8 in San Diego. Awan's McLaren collided head-on with a Nissan Altima driven by Elvira Amaya, 47, and her daughter, Isabel Amaya, 12. Elvira and Isabel Amaya were both killed in the crash. Awan was also killed.

The California Highway Patrol determined that Awan was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. The CHP also determined that Awan had a history of driving under the influence, and that his license had been suspended at the time of the crash.

The family's lawsuit alleged that the city was negligent in its maintenance of the road where the crash occurred. The lawsuit alleged that the city failed to properly repair a pothole that may have caused Awan to lose control of his McLaren. The lawsuit also alleged that the city failed to install adequate lighting on the freeway, which may have made it difficult for Awan to see oncoming traffic.

The city has denied the allegations of negligence. However, the city has agreed to pay the family $6.125 million to resolve the lawsuit. The city's decision to settle the lawsuit is a significant development, and it could have implications for future lawsuits against the city over wrong-way driving crashes.