Two women from Florida were killed and another was injured in a deadly pedestrian accident in San Francisco.
The victims have been identified as Willa Henderson, 31, and Mary Henderson, 72, both from Vero Beach, Florida. According to a KTVU news report, they were struck by a car near the intersection of Third Street and Mission Street. The fatal crash occurred near Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on the afternoon of May 22.
Collision Turns Fatal
Officials said a taxicab jumped the curb after colliding with another vehicle and then struck the pedestrians on the sidewalk at the busy street corner. The taxi was involved in a crash with a Mercedes and then ended up on the sidewalk, police said. The women were pinned under the taxi and died at the scene. The taxi driver and another man who was standing with the women were taken to the hospital.
We offer our deepest condolences to the Henderson family for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We also wish the injured pedestrian the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Pedestrian Safety Issues
Based on preliminary investigations, police did not believe that drugs or alcohol played a part in the crash. Pedestrian safety advocates in the city say the city is in a “traffic safety crisis.” The area where this fatal crash occurred is a tourist area and should be prioritized for safety improvements, they say, calling for the city to make investments in engineering and enforcement.
Officials with Vision Zero San Francisco, a program with the ambitious goal of reducing traffic fatalities to zero in the city, have said that they will conduct a Rapid Response investigation at the site and make an effort to understand the details of the crash. So far, just this year, 10 pedestrians have been killed in San Francisco.
Protecting Victims’ Rights
In such cases, injured victims and families of deceased victims may be able to seek compensation for their losses from one or more parties. In addition to the at-fault driver, if a dangerous roadway condition played a part, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining a roadway or intersection may also be held liable. Injured victims and families would be well advised to contact an experienced San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.
Source: https://www.ktvu.com/news/tourists-from-florida-identified-as-pedestrian-victims-killed-in-san-francisco-taxi-cab-crash