Most people remember hearing about a tragic news story.
Far fewer remember what happens years later.
On November 4, 2022, Grace Spiridon and Gregory Ammen were driving home through Redwood City when their vehicle was struck in a collision on El Camino Real near Finger Avenue that has been alleged to involve illegal street racing. In an instant, two devoted parents lost their lives, and their seven-year-old twin daughters witnessed the unimaginable.
The crash devastated an entire family and deeply impacted the Redwood City community. Like many tragedies, however, the headlines eventually faded.
For Grace and Greg’s family, the journey toward justice was only beginning.
On July 22, 2026, nearly four years after that tragic evening, the family’s civil wrongful death jury trial began in San Mateo County Superior Court.
At Gomerman | Bourn & Associates, this story resonates deeply with us because we understand that justice is rarely immediate. As trial attorneys, we know accountability often requires years of preparation, perseverance, and extraordinary courage from the families we represent.
Behind Every Case Is a Family
It is easy to focus on court filings, legal arguments, and trial dates.
But behind every wrongful death case is a family whose life has been permanently changed.
According to the family’s press release, Grace and Greg’s story began long before the events of November 2022. They were high school classmates who reconnected after college, built successful careers, and devoted themselves to raising their daughters in San Carlos. Greg worked as an audio engineer at Dolby Laboratories, while Grace served as Head of New Service Introduction at Google. Together, they built a life centered on family, kindness, and community.
Their daughters survived the collision, but no child should ever experience the loss of both parents in a single moment.
For nearly four years, the girls have been lovingly raised by their maternal aunt, Liza Spiridon, and her husband, who stepped forward to provide stability, love, and support while navigating the legal process.
Liza’s words capture the heart of this case:
“Our focus has always been these two children. Nothing can replace Grace and Greg, but we continue this journey because accountability matters and because these children deserve every opportunity for a secure future.”
That statement is powerful because it reminds us what wrongful death cases are truly about.
They are about protecting families, honoring loved ones, and ensuring that those left behind have the opportunity to move forward with dignity and security.
It Takes Incredible Courage to Go to Trial
As trial attorneys, we know something that is often overlooked.
Going to trial is never easy.
For grieving families, a courtroom is not simply another courtroom.
It is a place where they must revisit one of the worst days of their lives.
They hear testimony.
They see evidence.
They relive memories they have spent years trying to process.
Choosing to stand before a jury instead of simply walking away requires remarkable strength.
We commend Grace and Greg’s family for having the courage to pursue justice through our civil justice system.
No verdict can bring their loved ones back.
But every family deserves the opportunity to have their voices heard.
Why Jury Trials Matter
Many civil cases resolve before trial.
Some should.
Others deserve to be decided by a jury.
A jury trial allows members of the community to hear the evidence, evaluate the facts, and determine accountability.
It is one of the cornerstones of our civil justice system.
While criminal proceedings focus on punishment, civil wrongful death cases allow surviving families to pursue accountability and financial security after devastating loss.
The two systems serve different purposes, but both are important.
As Margaret Petros of Mothers Against Murder noted, justice does not end with a criminal conviction. Families deserve compassion, participation, and a meaningful opportunity to seek accountability throughout every stage of the legal process.
A Reminder
This trial is about far more than what happened on a November evening in 2022.
It is about two young girls whose lives changed forever.
It is about grandparents, siblings, friends, coworkers, and an entire community that continues to carry the weight of this loss.
It is also a reminder that every decision made behind the wheel matters.
Alleged illegal street racing.
Excessive speed.
Reckless driving.
These are not harmless choices.
They can destroy innocent lives in seconds.
For years, business owners have expressed longstanding concerns about speeding on this stretch of El Camino Real. Many described drivers treating the roadway more like a freeway than a neighborhood street. Those concerns deserve attention because preventing the next tragedy begins long before another crash occurs.
Why We Believe in Trial Attorneys
At Gomerman | Bourn & Associates, we are proud to be trial attorneys.
Every case we accept is prepared as though it may one day be presented to a jury.
That preparation matters.
Insurance companies know which firms are willing to take cases to trial and which firms are not.
When necessary, we are prepared to stand beside our clients in the courtroom, present their story with honesty and compassion, and advocate for the accountability they deserve.
We also recognize the tremendous courage it takes for families to choose that path.
To the Spiridon and Ammen families, we commend your strength.
We hope this trial provides an opportunity for Grace and Greg’s lives to be honored, for their daughters’ future to be protected, and for your voices to be heard.
Our Thoughts Remain With the Spiridon and Ammen Families
Everyone at Gomerman | Bourn & Associates extends our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Grace Spiridon and Gregory Ammen.
We also recognize the extraordinary love shown by Liza Spiridon and her husband, who have devoted themselves to raising two young girls while carrying the weight of this unimaginable loss.
As this wrongful death trial moves forward, we hope it provides a meaningful opportunity for accountability, remembrance, and healing.
Justice cannot erase what happened.
It cannot replace a mother or a father.
But it can acknowledge a profound loss, hold people accountable when appropriate, and reinforce a simple truth that every driver should remember:
Every choice behind the wheel matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the November 4, 2022 Redwood City collision?
Grace Spiridon and Gregory Ammen were driving home when their vehicle was struck on El Camino Real near Finger Avenue in Redwood City, in a collision that has been alleged to involve illegal street racing. Both parents lost their lives; their seven-year-old twin daughters survived the crash.
When did the Spiridon and Ammen family’s wrongful death trial begin?
The family’s civil wrongful death jury trial began on July 22, 2026, in San Mateo County Superior Court — nearly four years after the collision.
How is a civil wrongful death case different from a criminal case?
Criminal proceedings focus on punishing unlawful conduct. A civil wrongful death case allows the surviving family to pursue accountability and financial security after a devastating loss. The two systems serve different purposes, and both matter to families seeking justice.
Why do wrongful death cases take years to reach trial?
Justice is rarely immediate. Preparing a wrongful death case for a jury requires years of investigation, preparation, and perseverance — and extraordinary courage from families who choose to have their story heard in court rather than simply walking away.
Standing Beside Families Seeking Justice
At Gomerman | Bourn & Associates, we are honored to stand beside families seeking justice. We believe every story deserves to be heard, every family deserves compassionate advocacy, and every client deserves attorneys who are prepared to see their case through—whether that means negotiating a fair resolution or presenting it before a jury.
If your family needs guidance after a serious loss, contact our team for a confidential consultation.
This article is based on publicly available information and the family’s July 22, 2026 press release. The wrongful death trial is ongoing, and the allegations remain subject to the evidence presented in court and the jury’s ultimate findings.
