California Injury Blog
Charlene Hanson, 71, was killed in a Santa Ana pedestrian accident the evening of June 17, 2017. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of Civic Center Drive and Lacy Street in downtown Santa Ana. The woman was crossing the street away from her church and was crossing Civic Center Drive heading north when she was struck by a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck.
The driver of the truck was going south on Lacy Street and turning left onto Civic Center Drive. The man who was driving the truck cooperated with officials and did not show signs of impairment, officials said. He was not charged or cited pending an official investigation into the incident.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family members of Charlene Hanson for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
There were 12 fatalities and 134 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in the city of Santa Ana, according to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County as a whole, 52 people died and 784 were injured due to pedestrian accidents during the same year.
Crosswalk Laws
Based on this news report, it appears that the pedestrian was crossing the intersection where there are marked crosswalks in all directions. It is unclear as to why the driver did not stop of the pedestrian and yield the right of way. California Vehicle Code section 21950 states: “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.”
The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk “shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.”
Fault and Liability
If the driver is determined to have been negligent in this case, the family of the deceased victim can file a wrongful death lawsuit against him seeking compensation for damages including medical and funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love and companionship. An experienced Santa Ana pedestrian accident lawyer will also be able to determine in such cases as to whether a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to the incident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable. Please remember that any such claim against a governmental entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident under California law.