A man in a wheelchair was fatally injured after a vehicle struck him when he was crossing a street in Santa Ana. According to a KTLA news report, the incident occurred at 100 N. Euclid Street the morning of Dec. 29. Santa Ana police officials said they found the man in the roadway suffering from major injuries and began to treat him. But, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ongoing Investigation
Based on preliminary investigations, officials say the man was crossing Euclid Street in a wheelchair when he was struck by a northbound vehicle. The driver involved in the incident remained at the scene and cooperated with police, officials said. Police don’t believe alcohol played a part in this collision. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Santa Ana police’s traffic division at 714-245-8200.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of this deceased pedestrian accident victim. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Pedestrians in Wheelchairs
Based on this news report, the man was in a wheelchair and crossing the street when the vehicle hit him. Under California Vehicle Code Section 467 (b), the term “pedestrian” includes any person “who is operating a self-propelled wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle and, by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian.”
So, people in wheelchairs or mobility scooters are considered pedestrians under the law. Therefore, motorists are required to yield the right-of-way to individuals who are in wheelchairs or mobility scooters. It is unclear in this case whether the man was crossing the street in a marked or unmarked crosswalk and whether the motorist failed to yield the right of way.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In cases where a driver’s negligence may have caused a pedestrian’s death, families of deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love, care and companionship.
A knowledgeable Santa Ana pedestrian accident lawyer will also be able to advise families whether a dangerous roadway caused the accident. If that’s the case, they may also have a claim against the governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway. Such claims must be filed within 180 days of the incident.
Source: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/man-in-wheelchair-struck-and-killed-while-crossing-santa-ana-street/