CUPERTINO, Calif, (Diya TV) — Two families have filed a wrongful death suit against the suspected DUI driver who ran over 11-year-old Mahi Kothari in Cupertino. The suit, filed in Superior Court, singles out multiple entities and is preparing to add a claim against the City of Cupertino for failing to ensure a street where Mahi was struck was safe for pedestrians.
It happened on April 27 at 6:14 p.m. on Foothill Boulevard, close to Stevens Creek Boulevard. Wu, 38, from Cupertino, faces the charge of having been under influence of drugs at the time when his car hit four children, aged 11, 8, 7, and 4. Mahi Kothari, who was walking home with her family from the park, died in the accident. Other children have received various injuries, some of them critical (Minami Tamaki LLP).
Mahi Kothari is a bright and energetic young girl who is ambitious with a keen interest in science, debate, and music. She wants to put science knowledge to work easing the suffering of humanity. Her parents have filed a lawsuit against the company for an unknown amount of damages. Other injured children will be represented by Richard Schoenberger and Sara Peters of Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger (Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger).
Kothari family also files for the most severe charges to be brought against Wu and any other perpetrators by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office in relation with that civil action. Attorney Seema Bhatt said: “The Kothari family and their community are in deep grief over the senseless loss of Mahi. We hope that the DA’s office would fully hold the driver accountable and bring justice for Mahi. We also thank law enforcement, advocacy groups and all working tirelessly to avert such tragedy” (Minami Tamaki LLP).
This town desperately needs improved infrastructure. Foothill Boulevard is not really a continuous sidewalk, forcing children and other pedestrians to walk within the bike lanes. It places them at more risk for accidents-especially with impaired drivers going about on the roads. The community and authorities must take heed of this pressing need and do something to improve the infrastructures within this town to avoid such incidents in the future.
Finally, the case and community conversation highlight that safety to pedestrians and cyclists in Cupertino requires urgent changes. Advocates renew calls for immediate improvements in infrastructure and more stringent policies to ensure road user safety for all individuals.
