A 60-year-old man who may have been homeless was hit and killed by a car, according to Polk County, FL Sheriff's Office traffic deputies.
According to Bay News 9, the incident occured around 9 p.m. on Friday in Lake Wales, FL. Lewis Earl Crawford was attempting to cross the southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 27 in Lakeland, FL near Washington Avenue in Lakeland, FL.
He reportly entered the path of a 65-year-old man driving a red Chevrolet heading southbound. The driver immediately stopped and remained on the scene until law enforcement arrived.
Crawford died from his injuries, but neither the driver nor his passenger was injured.
According to Polk County, FL deputies, Crawford was not at a crosswalk, but he was at a spot where there were no street lights.
Traffic along U.S. Highway 27 in Lakeland, Fl southbound lanes were reduced to one lane for several hours.
The driver is not expected to be charged in the accident.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Florida reportedly has the highest rate of pedestrian fatalities in the United States alone. The U.S. Environment Protection Agency implemented the Florida Pedestrian System Plan(FPSP) which promotes the safety and comfort of pedestrians in the State of Florida.
According to the US Department of Transportation, there were approximately 175,000 pedestrian fatalities, in the United States, between the years of 1975 and 2001. To date, an estimate of 12% of automobile accident fatalities increased due to reported pedestrian accidents during 2001.
Young children, older drivers, texting while driving, drinking while driving and other driver related distractions that can and/or may occur during the duration of your drive, are just some factors that cause pedestrian accidents in the United States. However, pedestrian accident statistics are much higher than drinking and driving accident statistics.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident be sure to consult with an attorney immediately. Many times, insurance companies contact the injured victim to discuss the claim or even offer to settle. This can be to your detriment. Thus, it is best to hire an attorney who will deal with the insurance company on your behalf.
Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a personal injury attorney in Winter Haven, FL. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims, never the insurance company. The firm handles a variety of personal injury cases, including automobile accidents, slip and fall accidents, motorcycle accidents, dog bites and inadequate security cases. Call Attorney Rivas today for your free legal consultation.
