Just after 7:30 pm on Sunday, April 14th, a gray Toyota Corolla traveling eastbound on Oceanside Boulevard in Oceanside, California collided with three pedestrians crossing the road. The crash occurred 100 yards west of the College Boulevard intersection according to Sergeant Clint Bussey.
All three pedestrians that were struck were taken to local hospitals. One victim was pronounced dead at Tri-City Medical Center, and the other two were taken to Palomar Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officials have withheld the identity of the deceased pedestrian so the family can be notified.
The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene of the crash. Bussey reported that the driver was not under the influence and that speed was not a factor in the cause of the collision.
Police are currently investigating the circumstances that lead to the collision.
Pedestrians Safety Tips
Pedestrians are vulnerable in accidents involving vehicles due to the sheer contrast in size and protection between a person and a moving vehicle. When a pedestrian is involved in a collision with a vehicle, the consequences can be severe, and in some cases, life threatening.
The primary reason pedestrians are so vulnerable is their lack of physical protection. Occupants in vehicles are surrounded by heavy metal frames, seat belts, and air bags, while pedestrians have little to no shield protecting them from the force of impact. As a result, even low-speed collisions can lead to significant injuries to pedestrians such as broken bones, internal organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and more.
“Pedestrians are at a disadvantage in terms of visibility and predictability,” says Brett Schreiber an attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “Drivers are conditioned to anticipate the movements of other vehicles on the road, but pedestrians can be more difficult to predict and see, particularly in low light conditions, or when driver’s view is obstructed by objects like parked cars or foliage.
It is important for pedestrians to know they have rights, but to also exercise caution while walking. The accident that occurred in San Diego this weekend is tragic, our hearts go out to the victims and their families.”
Pedestrians can act unpredictably due to distractions or impairment. Similar to driving distracted or under the influence, maneuvering the road on foot while using phones or other electronic devices can reduce pedestrian’s awareness of their surroundings and increase the likelihood of accidents. Similarly, pedestrians under the influence of drugs or alcohol may exhibit impaired judgment and coordination, increasing their vulnerability on the road.
To mitigate the risk of accidents, pedestrians can take the following steps to help keep themselves safe:
- Use designated crosswalks
- Obey traffic signals
- Look both ways before crossing any street
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them
- Stay alert and aware of your surroundings
- Walk facing traffic if no sidewalks are available
- Make yourself as visible as possible by wearing bright clothes and reflective gear
- Stay on sidewalks when they are available
- Avoid walking while under the influence
To mitigate the risks of being in a collision with pedestrians, drivers can take the following steps to help keep pedestrians safe:
- Be on the lookout for pedestrians, especially in areas like school zones, residential neighborhoods, and crosswalks
- Adhere to posted speed limits, and slow down if there are pedestrians around
- Avoid distracted driving
- Give pedestrians the right-of-way at all times
- Thoroughly check for pedestrians crossing the street before making a turn at an intersection
- Be patient
If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident contact Singleton Schreiber at (619) 771-3473 or by email at info@singletonschreiber.com.
