Deadly Pedestrian Crash in Red Bluff
On the morning of Wednesday, September 15, 2021, one pedestrian was killed, and another pedestrian was injured in a crash that occurred on Luther Road in Red Bluff, California.
Details of the Luther Road Pedestrian Crash
According to an Information Officer from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the deadly incident took place at approximately 10:15 a.m. on Luther Road in Red Bluff. A 37-year-old Red Bluff resident was driving a Chevy Silverado westbound on Luther Road in the vicinity of Airport Boulevard when he collided with two male pedestrians. One of the men, a 41-year-old from Red Bluff, sustained fatal injuries. The other man, a 51-year-old who was also from Red Bluff, was injured and taken by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center for treatment.
Driver Arrested for DUI
The driver of the Chevy Silverado was placed under arrest by the CHP and booked into the Tehama County Jail. He faces charges of driving under the influence (DUI) and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Pedestrian Danger: Impaired Drivers
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly half (47%) of all collisions that resulted in the death of a pedestrian involved alcohol for either the motorist and/or the pedestrian. Seventeen percent of all pedestrian fatalities involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of at least 0.08%.
The dangers do not end with impaired driving – impaired walking is also a risk. Approximately a third of all deadly pedestrian crashes involved a pedestrian who had a BAC of a least 0.08%.
Watch the YouTube video. The clip below is one of many available that highlight the deadly danger of impaired driving.
Causes of Increasing Pedestrian Deaths
We have previously reported on recent statistics that reveal that the number of fatal pedestrian accidents has been increasing despite there having been fewer cars on the road during the pandemic. While one may think an increase in impaired driving was a major cause, those numbers did not seem to have risen enough to account for the jump. In fact, there were likely fewer impaired drivers on the road during the time that bars and restaurants were closed. Still, impairment continues to be steadily involved in nearly half of all deadly pedestrian accidents.
The majority of pedestrian fatalities happen not on highways but on arterial roads. They usually occur on busy streets that house businesses, such as grocery stores. On these types of roads, drivers can be unyielding, making it difficult for pedestrians to cross safely.
Distraction among drivers and pedestrians is another common factor in fatal accidents. Not surprisingly, the main culprit in this epidemic of distraction is our mobile phones.
Red Bluff Wrongful Death Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for reading. My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Red Bluff wrongful death lawyer. The death of a loved one is always devastating. When it is caused by another person’s negligence, the grief can be compounded by feelings of intense anger and frustration. Nothing will ever take away the pain, but there are ways to hold the negligent party accountable. Seeking financial compensation through a civil claim can help with money difficulties that may arise as a result of the sudden and untimely death. To speak with a compassionate injury lawyer after a deadly accident, call us at (800) 404-5400 or (530) 392-9400. We can set up a no-obligation consultation or simply offer free and friendly legal advice.
For more than 38 years, our law firm has advocated on behalf of injured Red Bluff residents and their families. See our settlements and verdicts page or check out our client reviews posted on the sites linked below:
Photo: by Manfredrichter on Pixabay
mm llo [cs 637]