In a report released earlier this year, Florida was declared one of the deadliest states in the nation for pedestrians. Of the 20 deadliest cities in the United States for pedestrians, nine are located in Florida. Orlando was ranked the least safe. Between 2008 and 2017, Florida saw 5,433 pedestrian fatalities in traffic accidents. This equates to a rate of 2.73 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people compared to the national average of 1.55. Florida’s Pedestrian Danger Index is higher than even New York City’s, with an index of 182.0 compared to New York’s 24.6.
The Citrus County Chronicle reports that new information has been released in a pedestrian accident where a sheriff fatally struck a pedestrian.
A preliminary report by the Florida Highway Patrol dated September 30th determined that Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast was not speeding in the fatal crash on Highway 19.
The report concluded that Prendergast was driving the posted speed limit of 60 m.p.h. as he drove north on U.S. 19 at 9 p.m. on August 21st.
Pedestrian Ronnie Health stepped into the roadway into the path of Prendergast. He hit the 59-year-old Heath with the right front side of his agency issued Chevy Tahoe. The impact threw Health onto the hood and into the right side of the vehicle’s windshield. Heath was then propelled forward onto the right shoulder of the roadway.
Heath was pronounced dead at the scene. Prendergast’s vehicle came to rest a few hundred feet from the site of the impact.
The report also revealed that alcohol is not thought to be a factor in Prendergast’s role in the crash. It also did not indicate that drugs or alcohol were a factor in Heath’s role.
The report did indicate that the section of roadway where the crash occurred is not well lit and Heath was wearing dark clothing.
Distracted Walking New Research Shows Distracted Walking Causes South Florida Accidents Almost everyone seems to have a cell phone these days, as popularity for the iPhone and other smartphones is ever increasing. Although the cell phone is a great invention, it seems as if it poses an inevitable threat on the road to those using one. The...
The Risk of Being Hit by a Car in Plantation It seems like every time you turn on the news, there is another story of someone getting hit by a car in South Florida. Just this week, a couple in their eighties were struck and killed by a car in Fort Myers, and two University of Miami students were struck and killed while crossing the...
Pedestrian loses life in five-vehicle collision A multi-vehicle crash occurred, killing a pedestrian who behaved as a good Samaritan. The tragic collision occurred in Cantonment, Florida, on, January 10, 2017, just prior to 6 p.m. on U.S. 29 and Hazzard Lane. A Toyota XB and a Jeep Cherokee were going in the northern direction, and nearing Hazzard Lane in the outer...
University of Central Florida to implement pedestrian safety plan The Orange County Board of Commissioners has approved a $5 million plan to improve pedestrian and bike safety on the major roads serving the University of Central Florida (UCF) campus. The plan includes the building and improving of mid-block crosswalks, sidewalks and bike paths in order to make their use safer and more appealing to...
Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Statistics Not everyone gets around Fort Lauderdale by car, and even drivers become pedestrians when they use sidewalks and crosswalks to get to their destinations, such as the park, a beach, or a downtown festival, after parking somewhere nearby. Unfortunately, year after year, Fort Lauderdale consistently ranks among the deadliest cities in Florida and the United...
How Do Pedestrians Seek Compensation for Injuries If Hit by a Car In Florida? There are several ways pedestrians can seek compensation for their injuries if hit by a car in Florida. If you were the victim of this type of accident, you might be able to file a claim with your own no-fault insurance, with the at-fault driver’s no-fault insurance, or with the motorist’s auto liability policy. If...
