Sharon Cheng, 62, was killed in a pedestrian accident in El Segundo near Los Angeles International Airport.
According to a CBS Los Angeles news report, the fatal car accident occurred the night of January 28, 2015 at the intersection of Sepulveda Boulevard and Mariposa Avenue.
Police say Cheng was hit by a vehicle that was turning left from westbound Mariposa onto Sepulveda, which is 10 lanes wide at the intersection.
The driver, a 53-year-old man,
remained at the scene. No charges have been reported. Cheng was transported to an area hospital where she died. The investigation is ongoing.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family members and friends of Sharon Cheng for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2012 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 11 injuries reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in El Segundo.
In Los Angeles County as a whole, 203 people died and 4,821 were injured due to pedestrian collisions during the same year.
Laws Relating to Pedestrians
Based on this news report, Cheng was crossing at an intersection that is 10 lanes wide. Under California law, motorists are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are walking in marked or unmarked crosswalks.
California Vehicle Code section 21950 states: “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.”
The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk “shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.”
Fault and Liability
In this particular case, if the driver is determined to have been at fault, in addition to facing criminal charges or citations, he could be held civilly liable for the victim’s wrongful death.
In cases where negligence is involved, families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages such as medical and funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love and companionship.
An experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney will also be able to determine whether a dangerous roadway or intersection caused or contributed to the incident. If that was the case, the city or governmental entity responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable.
Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the incident.