Pedestrian accidents are often tragic, in part because individuals have no real protection against fast-moving vehicles. If a car slams into a person, even at 20 mph, it can cause serious injuries. The faster the car is traveling, the greater the risk of life-changing injuries or death. Sadly, in this week's story, a new graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School was hit while walking. Despite his best efforts to avoid being hit, he was thrown off an elevated walkway and fell 38 feet.
The 27-year-old was rushed to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. In other reports, he was conscious after the fall and trying to communicate with construction workers nearby. They told the media that he was in considerable pain following the fall. Unfortunately, doctors were unable to save the young man and he died from his extremely critical injuries.
The mid-morning crash happened on a University City bridge after the driver of a Mercury Montego ran a red light and smashed into a Toyota Camry. The pedestrian could see the vehicles coming toward him, so he jumped out of the way and grabbed onto a light pole. In a horrible stroke of luck, one of the vehicles slammed into the pole, which sent the pole and the pedestrian over the edge.
Police are still investigating the crash, but there are very few reasons that would excuse the driver of the Mercury for running a red light. It is fairly clear that but for that driver's negligence, this horrific pedestrian accident would never have happened.
Source: NBC 10, "Penn Graduate Student Dies After Being Struck, Thrown From Bridge," Vince Lattanzio and Dan Stamm, May 7, 2014
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