A man crossing the street last night on December 8, 2008 around 6:00 p.m., was struck by a small passenger car and killed. According to a report in the Deseret News, the 66 year-old man from North Ogden was not in a crosswalk when he was crossing the street around 2700 North 300 West. The woman who hit him told the police she didn’t see him. The pedestrian was taken to McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden. Sadly, doctors were unable to save him and he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
In Utah, pedestrians are allowed to cross streets wherever there is an intersection, if it can be done so safely. Some only think crossing the street can be done where there is a crosswalk. The fact is, there are relatively few marked crosswalks at the myriad of intersections in our state. Those crosswalks that are not officially marked are called “unmarked crosswalks.” They are still considered a crosswalk, even though there is no paint in the street.
The story I looked at doesn’t say whether the man crossed mid-block or at an unmarked crosswalk. Nonetheless, pedestrians still need to make sure the coast is clear before they venture into the street. Since the story is lacking some critical facts that would normally allow me to comment in more detail on whether there is a legal claim, I would recommend that the family of the man get a consultation with a Utah personal injury attorney to review the facts of this case.
I offer my condolences to those involved in this tragic pedestrian accident.
Update: The victim in this Utah pedestrian accident has been identified as 66 year-old Jerry Shaw.
Published by: Ron Kramer
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