Prius Driver Strikes Pedestrian on North Market Street
On Tuesday, April 13, 2021, a man was struck by a car and killed while he was crossing North Market Street/Highway 273. Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Redding Police Department responded to the scene of the fatal incident, which occurred shortly after 5:30 a.m.
According to Redding Police, a woman was driving a 2010 Toyota Prius southbound on North Market/Highway 273 near Caterpillar Road when her car struck a man who was walking his bicycle across the highway in an unknown direction. The pedestrian, who has been identified as Gerald Michael Webb, was pronounced dead at the scene by a deputy coroner. He was 36 years old and was a resident of French Gulch.
The force of the impact damaged the bumper and left front headlight of the Prius and scattered debris across the highway. The highway remained closed for several hours while police gathered evidence. While investigators are still looking into the details of the crash, they say that it does not appear that alcohol or drugs played a role. A postmortem examination is scheduled to take place.
Anyone who witnessed events related to this collision is asked to call the Redding Police Department at 530-225-4200.
Pedestrian Accidents in California
With more and more people walking and biking on our roadways, the number of pedestrian fatalities in California has increased in recent years. The California Office of Traffic Safety warns that the problem is approaching crisis level, and has been working in conjunction with other state safety agencies to advocate on behalf of pedestrians and bring awareness to the dangers that they face. The goal of these advocacy programs is to reduce the number of annual pedestrian injuries and fatalities throughout the state.
The Sobering Stats on California Pedestrian Accidents
- The number of pedestrian fatalities in California increased by 26% between 2014 and 2018.
- As of 2018, California led the nation in pedestrian deaths.
- The pedestrian fatality rate in California is nearly 25% higher than the U.S. average.
Making the Roads Safer for California Pedestrians
Pedestrians should head out on the roads with a defensive stance, and assume that they are invisible to motorists. With that in mind, if you are walking near traffic, wear brightly colored clothing or carry a flashing light. Make eye contact with motorists before crossing in front of their vehicle.
The bulk of the duty of care is on the motorist, however, and there are several things drivers can do to ensure that they do not harm any pedestrians during their travels:
- Always drive within the speed limit.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times, and don’t allow distractions (texting, eating) while driving.
- Do not drive after drinking or using drugs.
- Be actively on the lookout for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, especially at intersections and while executing any turns.
- Use extra caution while backing up and when exiting parking spaces.
Watch the YouTube video. The clip below, posted by the Federal Highway Administration, gives pedestrian safety advice.
Redding Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for reading our report of this tragic collision on Highway 273. My name is Ed Smith, and I am a personal injury lawyer in Redding, California. Injuries and fatalities occur with alarming frequency on our Northern California roads. If you have suffered the loss of a loved one in a car accident, or if you have suffered injuries in a crash due to another driver’s negligent actions, you may be entitled to make a claim for damages. Our skilled injury lawyers are ready and willing to offer compassionate, free, and friendly advice. Call us at (530) 392-9400 locally, or if you will be calling from outside of the 530 area code, use our toll-free line: (800) 404-5400.
For nearly four decades, our firm has been advocating on behalf of injured residents of Redding. Please review our settlements and verdicts page for details on some of our cases.
Photo Attribution: Pixabay
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