(Murrieta, California) Investigation continues of a fatal vehicle crash that occurred on September 13 on Whitewood Road killing 73-year-old, Nabil Alsalek.
At approximately 6:55 a.m., Murrieta Police officers received a report of a vehicle that struck a pedestrian near Whitewood Road and Meadowlark Lane.
According to Murrieta Police Department, a 52-year-old woman was driving southbound on Whitewood Road when she struck Alsalek, who entered the roadway and was believed to be jogging.
The woman attempted to swerve to prevent hitting the man. She stopped her vehicle after striking the pedestrian, rendered aid but after the victim was sent to Loma Linda Medical Center, he died due to his injuries.
According to police, alcohol and drugs are not suspected to have played a factor in this fatal collision and investigation is still ongoing.
Legal Analysis on the Whitewood Road Accident
Because the driver struck the pedestrian, investigators may review California Vehicle Code, 21950 (a) which requires drivers to yield to pedestrians crossing a marked/or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Although the pedestrian was struck on a roadway, we don’t know if he was traveling on an unmarked/marked cross walk at an intersection.
If the pedestrian suddenly jogged onto the roadway with no marked/ unmarked crosswalk of an intersection present, the man may have violated California Vehicle Code 21950 (b). This code law prohibits pedestrians from suddenly leaving a curb or a safety area to run or walk into a path of a vehicle that’s close enough to cause immediate hazard. This may be the reason why the driver failed to avoid the pedestrian if he got too close for her to safely avoid him. This may affect a personal injury claim due to the pedestrian getting in the way of the vehicle, which can affect personal injury claims filed by the victim’s family, especially when trying to receive compensation relating to the vehicle crash. The judge may not find a reason to give compensation to the victims’ families if the driver was proven not at fault.
Advice to the Pedestrian’s Family
If you are a loved one of the pedestrians, don’t hesitate to reach out to family and friends for comfort during this difficult time. If you are planning to take legal actions against the driver, if confirmed at fault, speaking with a legal expert in pedestrian accidents can help guide you on your legal case.
Have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this incident, call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
