Fifteen-Year-Old’s Death is a Recent Pedestrian Accident Tragedy. There Will Be More
Pedestrian deaths caused by vehicle accidents are increasing, according to AAA Bluegrass. Mistakes by both parties can lead to preventable deaths, which leave family members suddenly without a loved one. Satterley & Kelley, PLLC represents pedestrians injured in accidents and families of those killed by others’ negligence.
McKenna Letcher, a 15-year-old George Rogers Clark High School student, was struck and killed by a school bus in September, reports WDRB. The Clark County, Kentucky, school bus hit her at the intersection of Ironworks Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway in Winchester. Letcher was trying to cross the road at the time.
Pedestrian Deaths in Kentucky are Common
WLEX reports that in 2022 statewide, there were 113 pedestrian accident fatalities. There were 112 as of November 2023, caused by 1,357 vehicle collisions. As of December 22 of last year, 150 pedestrians were hit by vehicles in Lexington, according to WLEX.
In November 2023, 87 collisions between vehicles and pedestrians resulted in 61 injuries and 11 deaths across Kentucky. Impaired, distracted, and aggressive driving is increasing, causing more crashes and fatalities.
Vehicles strike down pedestrians in Kentucky every day. Two of them include the following:
- A pedestrian was hit and killed by a vehicle in Calloway County in May. The driver was subsequently arrested for assault, wanton endangerment, leaving an accident scene, and driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Amy Bell of Murray was crossing Navy Drive when she was struck by a vehicle driven by Forrest W. Garbarczyk, also of Murray. He left the scene, returned, and was arrested. Bell was injured and died later in a hospital
- A 27-year-old pedestrian was hit by a car and killed in Lexington in June, reports the Herald Leader. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office stated the victim, Jacob Payne, was declared dead from blunt force injuries at the scene. As of June, this was the tenth fatal pedestrian collision in Lexington. There were a total of 20 in 2023
If you’re injured or a family member is killed in a pedestrian accident, Satterley & Kelley, PLLC, can help you receive the fair compensation you deserve.
Why Do Drivers Strike, Injure, and Kill Pedestrians?
Speed, location, alcohol use, and vehicle size are major risk factors, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They state that the faster the vehicle travels, the more likely a pedestrian on the road will be hit, and the severity of the injury increases. As the vehicle goes faster, it’s more difficult to control, and it takes farther and longer to stop.
Most pedestrian deaths happen on high-capacity city roads with 45-55 miles per hour posted speed limits. Many have issues in common:
- They have a design conflict. There are destinations people want to reach (stores or restaurants), and the design allows vehicles to go at high speeds. This prioritizes vehicle movement over pedestrian access and safety
- The 60 roads in the US with the most pedestrian deaths from 2001 to 2016 had adjacent commercial retail space. Almost all had multiple lanes, and most had 30 miles per hour or higher speed limits
SUVs and large pickup trucks are popular and can cause greater injuries to pedestrians because of their heavy body weight, wider and larger front end, and limited visibility.
Almost half of accidents causing a pedestrian death involve intoxicated drivers or pedestrians.
Nearly one in five drivers had blood alcohol levels high enough to justify a driving while intoxicated arrest, and almost one in three pedestrians killed were that impaired.
How Can Pedestrians Protect Themselves?
The Lexington Police Department told WLEX drivers should do the following:
- Look for pedestrians
- Slow down and be ready to stop near crosswalks
- Yield to those at crosswalks
- Obey the speed limit, especially if people are walking beside the street and in school zones
- Be more cautious at night and in bad weather
Pedestrians have the right of way when they’re in the roadway. They should wear light or reflective clothing at night, cross streets at crosswalks, and not assume drivers see them.
Schedule a FREE Consultation with a Louisville Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Satterley & Kelley, PLLC’s experienced team of lawyers can handle all aspects of your injury claim so you can recover from your injuries and care for your family. Arrange a free initial consultation with an experienced Louisville pedestrian accident attorney by contacting us online or calling us at 855-385-9532.