Car accidents involving pedestrians often result in those pedestrians involved sustaining serious or even fatal injuries. One recent fatal accident along a busy seven-lane Alabama road has left many residents shaken.
The fatal pedestrian and car accident occurred around 6:20 p.m. At this time, a 63-year-old man had just left a gas station and was attempting to cross the seven-lane road without using the crosswalk. The driver of a westbound car did not see the man in time and hit him.
Sadly, the man sustained multiple serious injuries as a result of the accident and first responders were unable to save him. He was pronounced dead at the accident scene.
The tragic death of the 63-year-old marks the fourth such pedestrian fatality along the stretch of road within the last 10 years. Since 2001, the dangerous section of road has been the site of 22 additional non-fatal accidents involving cars, pedestrians and bicyclists.
Recognizing that the stretch of road was a major public safety concern, during 2010, the city council attempted to pass a measure to erect a fence to keep pedestrians from crossing the busy road. The measure, however, failed to gain public approval and pass. While crosswalks do exist at intersections within the area, many pedestrians fail to use them.
This fatal accident serves as a reminder to Alabama residents of the importance of using crosswalks. Pedestrians and bicyclists would be wise to always ensure they cross streets at intersections and wait for the appropriate crossing signal when doing so. Likewise, to prevent being involved in a serious or fatal accident, drivers traveling through areas in which many pedestrians exist should be extra vigilant and alert while driving.
Source: Alabama Live, “Man killed crossing University Drive Wednesday is fourth pedestrian fatality in area,” Nicole Emmett, Jan. 24, 2013
