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The city of San Diego is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit from the family of Monica Cameroni de Adams, whose body was found in her minivan after a drunk driving accident. The lawsuit alleges negligence by the city and police, as they failed to check the minivan after the crash. This incident highlights the issues surrounding the treatment of homeless individuals. The city argues against the allegations, contending there was no duty of care owed by the officers involved.
San Diego – The city of San Diego is seeking a federal judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit initiated by the family of Monica Cameroni de Adams, a 65-year-old woman whose decomposed body was found in her towed minivan nearly a month after she was struck by a drunk driver. The tragic incident, which raises significant questions regarding the treatment of homeless individuals, has garnered attention as the city argues for its legal protections against the allegations of negligence.
The lawsuit stems from a fatal accident that occurred on November 5, 2023, when a drunk driver, identified as Jordan Lopez, crashed his vehicle into the back of Cameroni de Adams’ minivan while she was sleeping inside. Despite the collision, responding police officers did not find her at the accident scene. Instead, they had her vehicle towed to an Allied Gardens tow yard without checking it for passengers. It was only after a strong odor was reported by tow yard workers that her body was discovered on December 6, 2023, buried under her belongings and severely decomposed.
The Medical Examiner’s report classified her death as an accident caused by blunt force trauma, detailing “multiple and extensive” rib fractures, a spinal fracture, and a compound fracture in her right upper arm. Furthermore, the family received the Medical Examiner’s report almost a year later on October 16, 2024.
The lawsuit has been filed by Cameroni de Adams’ children, who allege negligence and civil rights violations against the city, the San Diego Police Department, and the officers involved in the case. They are seeking $50 million in damages, which they claim reflects the emotional and financial impact of their mother’s death.
In response, city attorneys filed a legal motion on June 12, 2024, asserting that the police officers had no duty to protect or care for Cameroni de Adams and should not be held liable for negligence. They also contend that the family did not submit their complaint within the required timeframe. The city has moved to dismiss the case on grounds including the lack of duty of care by the officers and the alleged delay in filing by the family.
Lopez, the driver involved in the collision, was found with a blood alcohol level of .26, more than three times the legal limit, and has since pleaded guilty to DUI causing great bodily harm. His crash affected two parked vehicles, but crucially, there was no effort made to assess possible occupants in the minivan at the time.
Cameroni de Adams had reportedly been living in her minivan for several years, struggling with substance abuse and homelessness. This incident raises alarming concerns about the assumptions and treatment of unhoused individuals by law enforcement agencies, especially in circumstances that may endanger their lives.
A federal judge is expected to review the city’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit in the coming months, and the outcome may have significant implications for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly those involving vulnerable populations like the homeless.
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