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High-Speed, Non-Crosswalk Wreck Seriously Injures Pedestrian

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An unidentified female is clinging to life at a local hospital after a pedestrian-auto crash in Lafayette.

According to police, an oncoming car hit the victim in the 2400 block of Johnson Street. She was immediately transported to a local hospital with unspecified injuries that were described only as severe. Authorities shut down Johnson Street and the surrounding area for several hours while they conducted an intensive investigation.

No charges are pending against the driver, whose name was not released, at this time. [Read more…]

Bizarre Collision Creates Liability Questions

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Authorities identified the victim in a fatal pedestrian-auto wreck which occurred in Bienville Parish, but legal responsibility remains uncertain.

The incident took place on U.S. Highway 371 south of State Highway 516. Investigators state that 27-year-old George Arkeem, of Minden, was northbound on 371 when he came upon an adult woman lying prostrate in the roadway. He was unable to avoid running over her and she died almost instantly. The victim, who apparently had no identification on her person, was later determined to be 51-year-old Theresa Williams, of Ringgold.

State police do not expect to bring charges at this time. [Read more…]

Deadly Pedestrian Crash in Eastern Louisiana

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A 22-year-old woman faces negligent homicide charges after a fatal pedestrian-auto crash in West Feliciana Parish.

Sherriff’s deputies state that Tiffany Cage was on Solitude Road near the Heir Road intersection when she hit 59-year-old James White, who was walking near the Solitude Road shoulder. He was pronounced dead at the scene; Ms. Cage was not injured. No other details were available.

Mr. White represented District 3 on the West Feliciana Parish School Board. [Read more…]

Near-Fatal Pedestrian-Auto Crash In Lake Charles

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A young woman who inexplicably stopped in traffic and exited her vehicle is in critical condition at a local hospital, after she was injured by an oncoming car.

The woman, whose name was not released, was airlifted to the hospital following the incident. While eastbound on East Prien Lake Road, the woman slowed and stopped near the intersection of Louisiana 397. A trailing truck swerved to the left to avoid a collision, but at the same time, the woman got out of her vehicle, and the truck hit her at practically full speed. Toxicology tests on both drivers came back negative.

Police are still investigating the incident. [Read more…]

The Dangers of Auto Pedestrian Accidents

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While walking is an inherently safe activity for millions of Americans, many pedestrians on sidewalks or roadways have a higher risk of injury or death. Although pedestrians only make up approximately 10% of travelers, they account for 14% of all traffic fatalities. With over 4,500 pedestrians killed in auto pedestrian accidents each year, walking to school, work, or just taking a Sunday stroll, could have catastrophic consequences.

How Do Auto Pedestrian Accidents Happen?

It is a motorist’s responsibility to be in control of their vehicle at all times, but for a variety of reasons, motorists do not always do so. One of the most common causes of auto pedestrian accidents is driver distraction. Passengers, multitasking, and particularly cell phone usage can easily distract drivers. Any time a driver takes their eyes off the road and hands off the wheel, people could get hurt. Driving under the influence also poses a significant threat to pedestrians, as limited reaction times and impaired judgment greatly increase the likelihood of an accident.

Who Is Most At Risk?

While anyone could be a victim in an auto pedestrian accident, the elderly and children are most at risk. Because the elderly are often unable to move quickly out of the way, they account for a larger number of auto pedestrian accident injuries and fatalities than other adults. Children also have a substantially higher risk of auto pedestrian accidents. Because of their size, many drivers may not see children on the road or in their mirrors. Children are also usually less familiar with traffic rules and pedestrian safety, making them extremely vulnerable.

What Makes Auto Pedestrian Accidents So Dangerous?

Auto pedestrian accidents have a higher fatality rate than other motor vehicle accidents because pedestrians have no protection from the impact of a vehicle. With thousands of pounds of force behind them, even slow moving vehicles can cause devastating injuries and even death.

Lake Charles Auto Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

If you have been the victim of a Louisiana auto pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced attorneys at Hoffoss Devall can help get you the compensation you deserve. Consultations are free and confidential. Call us today to see how we can help.

Man Arrested in Connection With Fatal Pedestrian Accident

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Ordinarily, most people in Louisiana are not on the lookout for drunk drivers until after the sun goes down and well into the night. That is when many people believe that others are drinking and will be attempting to drive. Few people expect to encounter a drunk driver at 3 p.m. in the afternoon; however, that was the time a fatal pedestrian accident recently occurred in New Orleans.

Police were called to the scene of a hit-and-run accident involving a woman who was crossing the intersection of Canal Street and N Gayoso Street. She was still alive when emergency personnel rushed her to an area hospital. Unfortunately, the efforts of medical personnel were in vain, and the 50-year-old woman succumbed to the injuries she suffered in the accident sometime later.

Officers with the New Orleans Police Department tracked the vehicle believed to be involved in the accident to the parking lot of a mall several blocks away. A 38-year-old man suspected of driving the car was tested to determine whether he was impaired. His blood alcohol level was determined to be .172, which is well above the legal limit of .08 here in Louisiana.

He was booked into jail on suspicion of vehicular homicide. The victim’s family may also file a wrongful death claim against the man. Any conviction secured by prosecutors could be used as evidence of negligence in the civil claim. If he is found to be at fault in the woman’s death by the court, the family could be awarded damages consistent with those ordered in other fatal pedestrian accident cases.

 

Louisiana Man Arrested for Fatal Pedestrian Accident

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A 54-year-old Louisiana woman suffered fatal injuries after being struck by a vehicle on Dec. 29. The supposed driver of the vehicle involved in this fatal pedestrian accident failed to remain at the scene. Police believe the responsible party is now in custody.

From evidence gathered at the scene, Louisiana authorities were able to determine the make and model of the vehicle that struck the woman. The identification of the vehicle, a white Dodge pickup truck, led them to a pickup truck owned by a Chalmette man. The vehicle had sustained damage consistent with the evidence obtained by investigators.

It is believed the owner of the pickup truck was driving the night the woman was run down. An arrest warrant was issued, and the 70-year-old man turned himself in to police on New Year’s Day. He faces charges of negligent homicide, reckless operation and an additional felony charge for hit-and-run.

No other information regarding the victim was reported. It is not known how long she was on Louisiana 46 before she was found or if she could have survived with immediate medical care. More information may become available after police complete their investigation.

As the criminal case in connection with this fatal pedestrian accident progresses, the victim’s family may receive answers to any lingering questions they may have regarding the accident. If a conviction is secured, the family may use that conviction in any related civil action as evidence of the driver’s negligence. If negligence is proved, the family could be awarded for damages by the court.

Pedestrian Killed in Hit-and-Run Auto Accident

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A Louisiana man has been arrested in connection with the death of a pedestrian. Police are still attempting to ascertain what the driver, who turns out to be the president of the Livingston Parish School Board, was doing on the rural road at that time of morning. They are also trying to find out why he fled the scene of the auto accident.

As for the victim, reports have indicated that he and another man were arguing when the accident occurred. The victim was driving a truck that belonged to the passenger he was supposedly arguing with. For some reason, the victim stopped the truck and the passenger got out. The driver then drove away, but returned shortly thereafter. He got out of the truck to talk to the passenger when he was struck.

The Louisiana State Police say the victim was in the roadway when he was struck, which is why they have not charged the school board president with negligent homicide. According to the police, the victim is responsible for the accident since the truck was stopped in the roadway. There is also no evidence to indicate that the man was impaired at the time of the accident.

It may not be possible to find the school board president criminally liable for the victim’s death in this auto accident, but his family may still be able to obtain some justice for him in civil court. The burden of proof in civil court is not as stringent as it is in criminal court. Also, an argument could be made that the actions of the driver that hit the victim contributed to his death. This could make that driver at least partly responsible for his death under our state laws regarding wrongful death.