A pedestrian has no protection against a drunk driver who has chosen to get behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. This truth was all too evident in an alleged hit-and-run accident that led to the death of a pedestrian in Phoenix last month.
A 66-year-old motorist was driving a Ford Mustang south on 32nd Street near McDowell Road around 9:00 p.m. He reportedly hit a 53-year-old pedestrian who was crossing the street in the middle of the block.
According to witnesses, the driver first stopped at the crash scene. However, he fled away from the accident as police arrived. Police caught up to the Mustang and stopped it.
The victim was transported to a local trauma center. He died from injuries suffered in the accident immediately after arrival, according to police.
Police said that the driver was believed to be driving under the influence of alcohol. He was booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail and was charged with suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of a fatal crash.
Innocent pedestrians and motorists in Arizona can suffer greatly because of a drunk driving accident. In fact, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reported that 122 pedestrians were killed in the Arizona during 2012, which constituted 15 percent of traffic deaths for that year.
Victims of a speeding or drunk driver and their families should seek advice on obtaining damages and determining liability. This assistance will help assure that their rights are protected and that they obtain proper representation in a lawsuit for compensation.
Source: azfamily.com, “Man arrested in deadly hit-and-run in Phoenix,” Erika Flores, July 22, 2014