Melissa Hope Dennison, 24, was killed in a San Francisco car accident on September 15, 2009. The San Francisco Examiner reported that the car accident took place at about 6:27 a.m. on Fell Street.
Police said that a 19-year-old male driving a Honda Civic, was attempting to swerve around a car that had stopped in front of him, when he struck Dennison. The impact threw Dennison a “significant distance” from the intersection of Fell and Broderick streets, police spokeswoman Sgt. Lyn Tomioka said. Although the driver continued driving, he came back to scene and told police that he had been unable to find a place to stop his car.
Dennison died on the scene and an investigation is now ongoing to determine whether charges should be filed against the driver.
San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Statistics
My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Melissa. My information is that Melissa just recently graduated from San Francisco State University and had a bright future ahead of her. Her friends described her as hilarious and quirky. She will surely be missed.
This tragic pedestrian accident hits very close to home for Mr. Chase’s family and my own. Mr. Chase’s daughter is a senior at San Francisco State University. My oldest daughter just graduated from San Francisco State University in May. I haven’t checked with the girls but it is very possible that one or both of our daughters knew Melissa. If Melissa did graduate in May, I may have watched her graduate with my daughter.
I can only imagine the pain that Melissa’s family is enduring without any chance of what they have lost being returned to them. All of their hopes and dreams for Melissa have been shattered by a moment of carelessness. A moment of carelessness that most of us have been guilty of without the consequences being so dire. Please keep Melissa and her family in mind when driving or walking our streets. Maybe if we remember what happened to Melissa and the loss her family is dealing with, we will all be safer drivers and pedestrians and another family can be saved from a similar fate.
Unfortunately, many pedestrian accidents have taken place in the area where Tuesday’s incident took place. Manish Champsee, of the pedestrian-safety organization WalkSF said that Fell Street is lined with residences and shops, meaning that pedestrians and car drivers have to be especially wary of each other in the area. Unfortunately, it is the pedestrians who often lose the battle.
According to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System 28 pedestrians were killed and 803 others were injured in car accidents in 2007. In addition, most pedestrian deaths are caused by cars swerving around stopped vehicles, WalkSF said.
While initial reports show that there has been no evidence that drugs, alcohol or excessive speed was a factor in Tuesday’s car collision, police have filed a complaint against the driver.
“Inspectors are still determining who had the right of way, but the driver is required to proceed with due caution, so that’s going to be an issue here,” Tomioka said.
California Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, I would strongly urge you to consult a San Fransisco personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
In cases of wrongful death, an attorney will help make sure that the family of the victim is properly compensated for their loss and that the parties responsible for the car accident are held accountable.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our source for the facts is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. Most of the best law firms will provide accident victims a free consultation.
We cannot fully inform any party or family member about their rights, options or the economic viability of any claim for compensation without a full investigation and consultation. We will not be conducting an investigation into this matter unless we are retained by a party. We will provide a free, confidential consultation to any, not at fault, person named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.