[10-27-2022] Santa Cruz County, CA – Unidentified Pedestrian Killed After Being Struck on Highway 1 in Aptos

According to the California Highway Patrol, a pedestrian man was struck and killed early on Highway 1 in Aptos Thursday morning, October 27, 2022.

According to California Highway Patrol Officer Alyssa Gutierrez, the crash occurred at around 6:20 a.m. south of Freedom Boulevard on Highway 1 in Aptos.

The pedestrian victim was hit by a Honda CRV driven by a woman south of Freedom Boulevard as he wandered aimlessly through the southbound lanes.

Officer Sam Courtney of the California Highway Patrol said the man, who has not yet been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Meanwhile, commuters faced long waits as traffic on the highway quickly built up in both directions.

Freedom Boulevard, Buena Vista Drive, Larkin Valley Road, and Bonita Drive all experienced significant backups as traffic overflowed onto them.

One southbound lane of Highway 1 and the onramp to the same lane from Freedom Boulevard was closed by the CHP and a Caltrans crew until 8:50 a.m. to make room for the investigation and the coroner unit from the Sheriff’s Department.

According to Gutierrez, it is currently unclear whether or not drugs or alcohol played a role in the incident. Investigators have yet to determine what led to the crash.

Fatal Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Pedestrians almost always sustain the most severe injuries in traffic accidents.

The Governors Highway Safety Association reports that pedestrian fatalities increased by 27% between 2007 and 2016, while all other traffic fatalities decreased by 14% during that time.

There were 5,977 pedestrian fatalities in the United States due to automobile accidents in 2017. One pedestrian is killed by a motor vehicle every 88 minutes on average. Most fatalities in traffic accidents involve cars, not pedestrians, and this is a major factor in why. After all, if something goes wrong, they have no safety net to fall back on.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are 25 percent more traffic fatalities in California than in the rest of the country. It is estimated that 893 people were killed and 14,000 were injured in pedestrian-related traffic accidents in California in 2018.

Accidents involving pedestrians can be caused by a variety of factors, but the most common ones are careless or reckless driving, excessive speed, and failure to stop at a crosswalk.
Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Aptos

It’s not uncommon for pedestrians to suffer serious injuries or even die when cars and people on foot collide. The victim’s family may never recover from their loss and be at a loss as to what to do next, depending on the circumstances.

The first step you should take is to consult with a seasoned pedestrian lawyer. If you or a loved one has been the victim of wrongful death, you may wish to consult an attorney before filing a claim. However, they must move as quickly as possible.

Wrongful death claims should be submitted without delay. Following a death, a loved one’s family may wish to consult a lawyer.

Our firm’s attorneys who specialize in pedestrian accidents in Aptos have the resources and experience to get you the compensation you deserve. They will also be able to negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf.

If you’re looking for an experienced, trustworthy law firm, you’ve found it in ours. Get in touch ASAP with a Santa Cruz County pedestrian accident attorney!! The contact number is (888) 488-1391.
Source: Pedestrian struck, killed on Highway 1 – The Pajaronian | Watsonville, CA