Deadly Pedestrian Accident in South Sacramento
A deadly pedestrian accident occurred in Sacramento on March 19 shortly after 5:00 a.m. when an adult female was struck by a white van at Mack Road and Stockton Boulevard. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to the accident first and notified local police. The accident happened when the driver of the van was moving southbound on Stockton Boulevard and struck the woman, who was reportedly in the roadway. I would like to offer my sympathy and prayers to the family and friends of the deceased woman in their time of loss and sorrow.
Driver Cooperating With Police
Officers with the Sacramento Police Department stated that the woman was not using a crosswalk but was in the middle of the street when she was struck. The driver of the van remained at the accident scene and was cooperating with police in their investigation. According to authorities, the injured woman was transported to a local hospital where she expired.
Police Investigation Into the Deadly Pedestrian Accident
Sacramento police will be investigating the cause of the pedestrian fatality, interviewing any potential witnesses and checking if video footage from nearby cameras caught the accident on tape. Stockton Boulevard was closed while officers investigated the crash, and motorists were advised to look for an alternate route. The police said that there was no indication that drugs or alcohol was a factor in the accident.
Dangers to Pedestrians
Pedestrians who cross or walk in a roadway, especially when it is still dark outside, place themselves in danger from passing traffic. However, the motorist still has the responsibility to watch for pedestrians at all times. Motorists can help by observing the following:
- Scan the sidewalks to look for pedestrians, especially during heavy traffic or after dark.
- When making a right turn, look right first to see if any pedestrians are getting ready to cross.
- Ensure that it is safe before making a right-hand turn or going through an intersection.
- Have your headlights checked to ensure that they are functioning correctly and accurately aimed to see any walkers crossing in front of you, which can help avoid a deadly pedestrian accident.
Safety Measures for Pedestrians
Walkers must take steps to ensure their own safety in order to avoid a deadly pedestrian accident. A few tips that can help include:
- Never walk in the street. Always use a crosswalk whenever available. It can be worthwhile to walk an extra block to reach one.
- Even if you have the right of way, watch for motorists who may not realize you are there or may run a red light or traffic sign.
- Wear bright-colored clothing during the day and light-colored clothing at night. It’s always a good idea to use reflective strips on a jacket and carry a flashlight.
- Carry a whistle. If the driver isn’t noticing that a pedestrian is getting ready to cross, this is a good way to attract their attention.
- Obey pedestrian laws. Reading through the California DMV’s sections on safety can help prevent a Sacramento pedestrian fatality.
Help After Losing a Loved One
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help the family after a loved one has been lost in a pedestrian accident. By reviewing existing documentation on the accident, interviewing witnesses and checking video footage, along with performing accident reconstruction and using expert witnesses, the lawyer can construct a strong case. In this way, the family can be reimbursed financially for the loss of their loved one.
Related Articles by Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Ed Smith
Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer. The tragic loss of a loved one in a deadly pedestrian accident can deprive the family not only of the love and care of that person but of their financial support. An experienced lawyer can help. Please phone me at (916) 921-6400 for free and friendly advice. Outside the Sacramento area, you can reach me at (800) 404-5400. An online contact form is also available for your use.
At the following links, you can look over reviews by my former clients and cases that my law firm handled:
The National Association of Distinguished Counsel only permits those lawyers they consider to exhibit legal excellence to join. I am a California member. I also belong to the Million Dollar Forum, which permits membership only from trial lawyers who have won more than $1 million for a client.
Over the past 37 years as an injury lawyer, I’ve handled many cases for those from Sacramento and Northern California in many kinds of car accidents and cases involving wrongful death.
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_80488596_l-2015
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