Authorities often argue that pedestrians are truly vulnerable when walking or biking on the street. After all, the vehicles they encounter are so much larger and are made of metal, capable of inflicting a great deal of bodily harm. One Connecticut man recently discovered this in a pedestrian accident.
Some accidents can truly be attributed to distraction or momentary lapses in judgement. Other accidents can be proven by authorities to take place due to negligent and reckless actions when the driver has little to no concern for other people on the road. Such was the case of a business writer and active bicyclist who was out on his bike recently.
From the authorities’ reports, it appears that the cyclist was in the crosswalk, crossing the street, when a driver turned directly into his path. This reportedly caused two things: the cyclist fell to the ground, and he was injured in the process. What is worse is that it set off a chain of reactions. A second driver who couldn’t see the cyclist on the ground made the same turn just as the first car was apparently fleeing the scene, and the second car ran over the cyclist. It was not reported if the cyclist passed away at the scene or at a hospital, but the accident was ultimately fatal.
The first driver was arrested on several charges, including evading responsibility for an accident and making an improper turn. Authorities allege that he also tampered with evidence, but it was not immediately clear what that evidence was. The deceased man’s family is naturally still grieving, but they do have a right to seek compensation in a Connecticut court if the man’s actions in this pedestrian accident are proved to have been reckless or negligent. If that is the case, they may be awarded financial restitution to help ease the stress of the tragedy.
Source: norwichbulletin.com, Motorist faces charges in Connecticut bicyclist’s death, No author, Dec. 4, 2013
