Two Pedestrians Injured in Dangerous Intersection Accident
A small child and an older woman were seriously injured by a hit and run driver in an intersection in Sacramento on Wednesday, January 31, 2018.
Details of Pedestrian Collision
The accident happened at the crossing of Oregon Drive and Freeport Boulevard in the midafternoon. The woman, in her early 70s, and the child, 6, were trying to cross the busy intersection. Sacramento police officers on the scene said that both were taken to the hospital at UC Davis. As of the time of this article, they were listed as being in a condition described as critical. There is no further word about the nature of their injuries.
Hit and Run Driver
After the accident, authorities searched for the hit and run driver, although neither the identity of the driver nor the make and model of the vehicle were initially available to investigators. Sometime after 6:00 p.m., it was reported that the male driver, 22, Gurdeep Sidhu, voluntarily delivered himself to police. He is facing charges of hit and run felony for leaving the scene after causing serious injury. Authorities are looking into other aspects of the crash, which they have as yet to delineate. The relationship between the boy and the woman is unknown at this time.
Crosswalk Removed
According to members of the community, the city removed a crosswalk at this intersection. By removing the passageway for pedestrians and signage informing drivers to decrease their speed due to pedestrian traffic, local residents say it is virtually impossible to cross safely. This is a problem for families since preschool facilities, a house of worship and a park are all in the immediate area.
City’s Response to the Community
The city has said that crosswalks in high-traffic areas with multiple lanes, particularly if no signal is attached, do not provide safety features for pedestrians. Pedestrians may falsely believe they are safe and be struck by a motorist.
Crosswalk Safety
Crosswalks provide a measure of protection for pedestrians, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Overall, 42 percent of pedestrian deaths happen when a pedestrian is crossing the road without a crosswalk. The presence of a crosswalk alone is not enough. Pedestrians must be knowledgeable about when to use it and convinced that jaywalking could cause fatal accidents. Pedestrians who use a crosswalk actually account for only 9 percent of all accidents.
Rules for Using the Crosswalk Have Changed
The new legislation, Assembly Bill 390, has been approved by the governor. In the past, pedestrians were ticketed if they entered the crosswalk once the flashing red hand started blinking even if the walker had sufficient time to cross. Now, as long as a pedestrian has time to make it to the other side, he or she will not receive a ticket. Such violations could be costly, averaging about $250 with accompanying fees.
Countdown Timers Work
Countdown timers are more efficient and have been in use for some time. When tested, they decreased the number of pedestrian injuries by about 50 percent. Giving pedestrians the ability to judge the time they have to cross, fewer pedestrians are caught in the crosswalk when the timer stops.
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Sacramento. Injuries to pedestrians are common and can leave a walker with severe disabilities and high medical bills, as well as lost time from work. If you have been injured or one of your family members, call me at (916) 921-6400. I am always available to offer you free, friendly advice. The toll-free number is (800) 404-5400. On my website, AutoAccident.com, there is also a contact form online for your convenience.
I am a highly rated personal injury lawyer who has assisted the Sacramento community and Northern California town and city residents since 1982 with wrongful death and traumatic brain injury claims.
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