Four students were injured in a pedestrian accident after a teen driver struck them at an intersection in Paramount right outside their high school. According to a KTLA news report, the students had just gotten out of school the afternoon of March 19 and were near the intersection of Rosecrans and Downey avenues outside Paramount High School when they were hit by a pickup truck that went out of control. The driver, 19-year-old Saul Martinez, was arrested and booked on suspicion of felony reckless driving.
All four students who were hit were transported to area hospitals with bumps, bruises and broken bones. One girl had to undergo surgery, but is expected to recover. All four were in stable condition, officials said. The black pickup Martinez was driving was first seen speeding down Downey Avenue and then tried to cut in front of another car, according to witnesses. However, the truck was traveling at a high rate of speed and spun out of control and onto the sidewalk where it hit the students. The investigation is still ongoing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the four students who were injured in this crash. We are relieved they are all in stable condition and wish them the best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
There were no fatalities, but 12 injuries reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in the city of Paramount, according to California Highway Patrol’s 2014 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Los Angeles County as a whole, 220 people died and 4,856 were injured due to pedestrian accidents during the same year.
Laws and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, police are saying they do not believe alcohol or drugs played a part in this injury accident. However, it does appear that reckless driving, particularly, excessive speed seems to have played a role in this crash. California has a Basic Speed Law, which means that you may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions. We trust officials are also looking into whether the driver, in this case, was distracted or inattentive at the time.
In such cases, injured victims can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver seeking compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation and pain and suffering. Victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.
Source: http://ktla.com/2018/03/19/5-students-struck-by-car-outside-paramount-high-school/