Ladner

Background 24 On November 16, 2021, the case was removed to this Court. (Dkt. No. 1, Not. of 25 Removal.) On January 26, 2022, Plaintiffs Ashley Elizabeth Ladner (“Ms. Ladner”) and 26 Matthew Austin Lander (“Mr. Ladner”) (collectively “Plaintiffs”) filed the operative first 27 amended complaint (“FAC”) alleging one count of negligence against the United States 28 of America (“Defendant”) arising from the alleged negligent operation of a motor vehicle by Anron Reif (“Mr. Reif”), an employee of the United States of America. (Dkt. No. 6, FAC.) According to the FAC, Mr. Reif violated California Vehicle Code (“Vehicle Code”) § 21801(a) and § 22350 when his vehicle collided with the vehicle Plaintiffs were passengers in. (Id.) Mr. Reif was cited for violating Vehicle Code § 21801(a) and later plead guilty and paid a fine. (Id. ¶¶ 8, 16.) As a legal and proximate result of Mr. Reif’s negligence, Plaintiffs were injured in their health, strength and activity, sustaining permanent bodily injury, and damage and shock to their mental and nervous system causing mental, physical and emotional pain and suffering. (Id. ¶¶ 9, 17.) In addition, Plaintiffs…