A woman is dead from injuries she suffered when she was hit by a car crossing the street. According to the Deseret News, the auto-pedestrian accident happened in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Monday, December 29, 2008. The woman, Lidia Tovar, age 36, was crossing South Temple in a properly-marked crosswalk near 300 East when she was hit by a car that was attempting a left turn. According to Salt Lake City police, the driver says he didn’t see the pedestrian. Lidia Tovar is reported to have experienced a massive brain injury, which apparently led to her death one day later. No citations have been issued.
My condolences to the family for this needless death. Unfortunately, auto-pedestrian injuries and deaths continue in Salt Lake. A number of years ago, Mayor Rocky Anderson instituted a flag program in Salt Lake City where pedestrians waive bright flags as they cross the street to signal to otherwise distracted Utah drivers that they are crossing. The fact is, however, that pedestrians shouldn’t have to go to these measures to cross a street safely. Drivers in Utah already have an absolute duty to yield to pedestrians crossing the street, especially those in a properly-marked crosswalk.
I would advise the family of Ms. Tovar to contact a Utah accident lawyer concerning what legal recourse can be taken at this stage. The driver that hit her was clearly at fault. Obviously, a legal claim will not bring back Lidia. However, such a claim is a declaration that negligent and unsafe driving, like the type that took Ms. Tovar’s life, will not be tolerated and those that choose to drive this way will be held accountable for their actions.
Published by: Ron Kramer
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)