Sacramento California highway patrol reported that a driver struck a 15-year-old boy in a hit-and-run near Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard in South Sacramento. The 15-year-old was attempting to cross the street during a green light for oncoming traffic. The boy entered the roadway as drivers were speeding through and was hit by a Mercedes. The driver of the Mercedes initially pulled over after hitting the child. However, moments later, the driver took off and disregarded his obligation to remain on the scene to cooperate with authorities and emergency responders. When emergency responders arrived, they saw a young 15-year-old male in serious condition. They transported him to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. California Highway Patrol asks the public to help identify the driver of the Mercedes.
In the United States, during 2016, there was a recorded 1,980 fatal hit-and-run crashes that resulted in 2,049 fatalities. The driver that hit the 15-year-old boy in South Sacramento earlier last week will likely face hit-and-run charges if authorities find the driver. As a driver, you are obligated to remain on the scene after an accident that results in significant personal injuries. Below you can find a set of tips for pedestrians so that you do not become the victim of a hit-and-run or another related type of car accident.
Safety Tips for Pedestrians
- Before crossing any street, look both left and right across all ways of oncoming traffic to ensure that it is safe to cross the road before stepping foot in the roadway.
- Jaywalking or the act of walking across the street when not permitted by traffic signal is not advised for anyone, especially minors, mainly because this puts pedestrians at increased risk of being hit by oncoming traffic.
- Pedestrians in low visibility conditions such as fog or heavy rains should consider using a flashlight or wearing reflective clothing to help other drivers see you.
The tragic hit-and-run accident in South Sacramento earlier this week has left a 15-year-old boy facing life-threatening conditions. The actions of the driver who fled the scene are inexcusable. With the proper knowledge and safety, it is entirely avoidable. Teaching the youth pedestrian safety techniques, enforcing road rules, and ensuring drivers travel at safe speeds can help mitigate these types of tragedies. At Eason & Tambornini, our personal injury attorneys are experts in handling all severe injury cases.
Our qualified personal injury attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience dealing with personal injury cases. Our success for our clients goes unmatched. Suppose you have suffered a severe personal injury due to a car accident. If this is the case, we advise that you speak with an expert team of pedestrian accident attorneys to seek the legal compensation you deserve for you or your loved one’s injury. To speak with an attorney, you can reach us by phone at 916-438-1819, or you can visit our website at capcitylaw.com to chat directly with an attorney.
