California Injury Blog
A 12-year-old boy was killed in a pedestrian accident in South Los Angeles after a driver who was turning left at a street intersection struck him. According to a CBS Los Angeles news report, the incident occurred at the intersection of Woodlawn and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Officials said the boy was “beyond medical help” in spite of efforts from emergency personnel and bystanders.
Police said the driver was turning left from Woodlawn onto Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard when the collision occurred. The driver remained at the scene and was cooperating with the investigation. LAPD officials said the crash is a reminder that hurrying can sometimes be deadly. It is unclear if slick roadways due to recent rainstorms caused or contributed to the crash. Investigators are looking for surveillance video or witnesses to the crash as well.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of this child who was tragically killed in this pedestrian accident. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Laws Relating to Pedestrians
Based on this news report, it appears that the boy was walking at a street intersection when the turning vehicle struck him. When individuals are walking in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, California law states that drivers should yield the right of way to pedestrians.
According to California Vehicle Code Section 21950 (a): “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.”
Liability Issues
In this particular case, if the driver was determined to have been negligent or careless in any way, he or she could be held financially responsible for the victim’s wrongful death in addition to facing any potential criminal charges and penalties. If a dangerous roadway or intersection caused or contributed to this incident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable.
Families of victims in such cases would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.
Source: https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/03/10/south-la-teen-boy-dies-pedestrian-crash/