Natomas Pedestrian Accident Kills Orangevale Resident
I’m Ed Smith, a Natomas pedestrian accident lawyer. Sacramento police are on the lookout for a hit and run driver who struck and killed a female pedestrian in Natomas on April 24. The woman, identified as Ericka Hann, 47, of Orangevale, was crossing Grasslands Drive at West El Camino near Barandas Park in Natomas when the accident occurred. First responders declared the woman dead after arriving at the scene of the incident. I want to offer my prayers and sympathy to the friends and family of Ericka in this time of tragedy and loss.
Vehicle Description in Hit and Run
Witnesses to the accident reported that the vehicle that struck the woman was a white pickup such as a Chevy or Dodge. Anyone with information is requested to call the police department in Sacramento. A further description of the vehicle is that the exhaust was loud, and a camper shell was mounted on the back. No description was given of the driver. The last time the pickup was seen, it was traveling west along El Camino and might have turned south onto Orchard Lane.
Woman Was Legally Crossing the Street
The crosswalk located along Grasslands Drive and West El Camino is commonly used since it abuts Barandas Park, an enjoyable location for joggers. There was a stop sign at the corner where the woman was crossing, and she was utilizing a marked crosswalk. A representative of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) speculated that the driver of the vehicle might have run through the stop sign, although he found it difficult to understand why that driver did not spot Hann crossing the street at the time.
Speeders a Problem in the Area
Neighbors said that authorities needed to monitor drivers in the area because speeding was an issue. There is also a concern with crosswalks. The city has recently removed some of the street markings at intersections where no stop sign or traffic light was present. The problem, the city said, was that without those added features, walkers might get the sense that they are safe while crossing, but that isn’t necessarily true. A new crosswalk is planned for West El Camino later in the year, which will have a light designed to make it safer for pedestrians to cross.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents are common in and around Sacramento with 19 fatalities reported in 2017. Speeding is a major cause of pedestrian fatalities, accounting for nearly 20 percent of pedestrian deaths throughout the state. Despite increased police surveillance and improvement in safety features such as newly added crosswalks and signals, it continues to be dangerous for walkers around the county. Aside from the use of speed cameras, community involvement in pedestrian safety is a necessary element in keeping the area safe for people traveling on foot.
Reducing Speed as a way to Protect Pedestrians
Speed is a key factor in deadly pedestrian accidents. Studies have shown that a pedestrian/motor vehicle impact at 40 mph has a 85 percent chance of killing the walker. Alternately, at 20 mph there is a 5 percent chance the pedestrian will be killed. Many cities are starting to lower speed limits at crosswalks in light of this evidence.
Natomas Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Natomas pedestrian accident lawyer. Pedestrian accident fatalities cause a deep sense of loss and grief, compounded by financial loss. If you lost a loved one because of a reckless driver, I can offer you free and friendly advice. Phone me at (916) 921-6400 in the Sacramento area. Outside the area, contact me at (800) 404-5400 or use our convenient online form.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/taxis-cars-street-crosswalk-people-691023/
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