(Cathedral City, California) On October 14th, just after 9:40 p.m., a report was made in the 67700 block of East Palm Canyon Drive of a pedestrian getting struck by a vehicle.
According to the Cathedral City police, a pedestrian had crossed north on East Palm Canyon Drive outside a crosswalk. At some point, a vehicle traveling westbound struck the pedestrian. Paramedics arrived at the scene and performed life-saving measures, but shortly after, the pedestrian was pronounced dead.
The identity of the pedestrian was withheld until the next of kin were notified. Meanwhile, the police are waiting for the toxicology results.
The driver involved remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
Legal Analysis on the East Palm Canyon Drive Accident
When an accident involves a pedestrian, investigators often review the pedestrian right-of-way laws to determine who was at fault. They may also review penal codes to determine if the driver shall face serious consequences.
Because the driver did not yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian, the driver has violated California Vehicle Code 21950. This law specifically states that drivers approaching a pedestrian walking in any marked or unmarked crosswalk has to yield the right-of-way.
Since the pedestrian was pronounced dead, the driver may face serious consequences. Uunder California Penal Code 193.He may face imprisonment at a state prison for 2 to 6 years. The driver may face a year in a county jail if the driver was proven to have caused a lawful or unlawful act that resulted in death but does not amount to a felony.
Advice to the Pedestrian’s Family
To the family of the pedestrian, we understand how difficult dealing with an unexpected loss can be. It’s important to reach out to family and friends for emotional support or through a counselor. If you are planning to take legal actions against the driver, speaking with a legal attorney who’s experienced in pedestrian accidents, can answer any questions you may have.
Have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this incident? call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
