People who get hit by a car while crossing the street often get blamed for what happened to them. Others may assume that the victim was crossing against the light or jaywalking. That they brought their serious, even fatal, injuries upon themselves.
The idea that pedestrian accidents are always (or even usually) the pedestrian’s fault is a myth. They are often the result of a negligent or outright dangerous driver breaking the law.
Man on corner killed by vehicle in Costa Mesa
In a tragic recent example, a driver suspected of being high on drugs struck and killed a man in Costa Mesa. Witnesses say the deceased was standing on the sidewalk waiting to cross when the driver’s vehicle flipped over and went over the curb. It struck the man, rammed into a traffic pole and burst into flames. The pedestrian, who was just 39, died at the scene.
The driver was also hurt, but his injuries were not life-threatening. Police arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, and he may face further charges related to his victim’s death. Sadly, this is an example where a pedestrian followed traffic rules strictly but was hit by a car anyway.
The people left behind after a deadly collision
We don’t know anything about the deceased’s life. But pedestrians killed in collisions with cars, trucks and SUVs usually leave behind families that loved and depended on them. A person killed by a reckless driver might be survived by a spouse and young children. They likely worked hard to help support them financially, as well as provide them with love and emotional support.
