This is what troubles me about this crash and similar crashes. As a traffic homicide detective and accident reconstructionist, and now as a lawyer, I have handled a lot of left turn right of way fatality cases.
If the news report is correct and FHP has already determined who was at fault, as many investigators do, I see something troubling. Many times investigators determine fault too early in the investigation and just run with it.
Here is what is see in this case. Most of the time there is no video evidence of these crashes and we would have to calculate speed based on conservation of linear momentum and crush analysis. Even without the video, and by looking at the scene photos, I see excessive speed on the part of the Mercedes.
I am familiar with this intersection and have handled crashes there. The speed limit there is 45 mph. If the Mercedes was traveling within reason of the speed limit, I would not expect to see the post impact redirection that is depicted by the video and scene photos.
In a left turn right of way crash, always look at the approach speed of the oncoming vehicle. Itcan be the difference between no case and a recovery for your client.