Pedestrian Accident near Chico on Highway 99
A pedestrian accident took place when a man was struck by a car while walking on Highway 99 on Tuesday morning, July 4.
What Happened?
A 34-year-old man Chico, California was driving his Ford Crown Victoria north on Highway 99 in the early hours of the morning. After he passed Neal Road, he saw a man walking alongside the highway. As Dogey approached at a speed around 65 miles per hour, the man stepped into the roadway and was struck before Jonathan could swerve around him. His body was thrown into the center divide between the opposing lanes of traffic. Emergency personnel arrived at 2:22 a.m. and transported the pedestrian to Enloe Medical Center having suffered major traumatic injuries. Jonathan Dogey was reported to have suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision.
The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the accident. They have not ruled out drugs or alcohol as a factor in the accident.
How did this Happen?
It is hard to explain why this happened. We do not know if the victim stumbled while walking and crossed into the roadway. It is possible that he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol and failed to notice the approaching car when he crossed the road. The victim could have also suffered from a mental illness such as depression. This may have caused him to step in front of the vehicle on purpose. Without more details, all of these scenarios are just possibilities. We can analyze the circumstances and provide suggestions for keeping people safe in similar situations.
Avoiding a Pedestrian Accident
The first suggestion would be to wear visible clothing as a pedestrian, especially if you are traveling next to a busy road or highway. Reflective strips on clothing can alert drivers of your presence long before you are illuminated by the beam of their headlights. A light source, such as a flashlight or blinking red light is even better than reflective clothing but a combination of both is best for visibility.
Traveling on the correct side of the road can also help you avoid danger if you need to walk along a busy street. Pedestrians should always walk on the left side of the road so they can see oncoming traffic and move out of the way if needed. When walking on the right side you have your back turned to the cars that are coming closest to you and you may not have enough time to react should one veer off course.
When driving along the side of and passing pedestrians, it is a good idea to give the pedestrians as much space as possible. If there are two lanes and a chance to merge, move your vehicle into the lane furthest from the pedestrian. On two-lane highways, you can drive in the middle of the road if safe to give the pedestrians a wide berth. This is a good practice for anything that might be on the side of the road whether it be a pedestrian, parked vehicle, wild animal, cyclist, or emergency personnel.
Check out these other articles on my blog:
- Pedestrian Death on State Route 119
- Merced Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident
- Rancho Cordova Child Pedestrian Death
- Pedestrian Accident Kills Manteca Woman
Chico Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Chico Accident Lawyer. If you or someone you know have sustained injuries from a car accident or other situation, please call 530-392-9400. Or call me free of charge at 800-404-5400 for free and friendly legal advice.
I have helped people from Chico and Northern California with car accident cases and wrongful death suits for 35 years.
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