Woman left to die in towed van — because no one looked inside: lawsuit
A tragic incident in San Diego has left a homeless woman, Monica Cameroni de Adams, dead in the back of her wrecked van after it was towed to an impound lot without anyone checking inside first. The family of Cameroni de Adams has filed a $50 million lawsuit against the city of San Diego, accusing authorities of negligence and “tortious interference with human remains.”
The 65-year-old woman sustained severe blunt force injuries when a drunk driver crashed into her Honda Odyssey while it was parked on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard on November 5, 2023. Despite being visible in the middle row seats of her van, no one noticed her before the vehicle was towed away.
Cameroni de Adams’ remains were only discovered a month later on December 6, 2023, after a yard worker reported a foul smell emanating from the van. Her two adult children, who had filed a missing persons report when their mother failed to respond to birthday messages, are now seeking justice for her wrongful death.
The lawsuit names the city of San Diego, San Diego Police Department, Roadway Towing & Recovery, and others as defendants. While the city declined to comment, the rest have not responded to requests for statements.
The tragic incident highlights the importance of not overlooking homeless individuals, as they too have families who care about them. The family’s lawyer, John Carpenter, emphasized that homeless individuals matter and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
The drunk driver responsible for the crash, Jordan Lopez, has pleaded guilty to a DUI causing injury charge and faces up to six years in prison. The sentencing is scheduled for next week.
This heartbreaking story serves as a reminder that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, deserves to be treated with compassion and humanity. It is a call to action to ensure that no one is forgotten or left behind, especially in times of distress and vulnerability.
