Victim in Fatal Palm Beach County Pedestrian Accident with SUV Identified
The Palm Beach County Florida Sheriff's Office has identified a man who was killed in a South Florida auto pedestrian accident last December as a young Guatemalan father of four. Jorge "Jose" Velasquez Francisco was killed when he stepped in the path of an SUV while trying to cross Military Trail to the west of Lake Worth, Florida.
The SUV driver in this fatal Palm Beach SUV pedestrian accident was not cited. Velasquez Francisco was not carrying any identification when he was involved in this deadly accident. It took authorities several weeks to eventually track down his family through the numbers stored in his cell phone in his pocket. The victim's wife and children live in Guatemala.
Some facts about auto-pedestrian accidents from the National Safety Council:
- Automobile-pedestrian accidents cause an estimated 5,900 pedestrian deaths every year.
- 84,000 pedestrians suffer nonfatal injuries when they are struck by automobiles.
- Children under age 15 account for nearly a third of car-pedestrian accident victims.
Florida Pedestrian Safety
Among its recommendations for pedestrians in South Florida to walk safely, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website recommends a common sense approach to walking at night, namely "dress to be seen." Most drivers have had the startling experience of a pedestrian "suddenly" appearing in their headlights at night dressed in dark clothing. Wear light clothing if you're walking out at night, it could save your life. Other safety hints:
- Stay on sidewalks.
- Only walk in well-lit areas.
- Walk in the crosswalk and use crossing lights.
A Florida car pedestrian accident lawyer can sort out the details of who if anyone is at fault when a car, truck or SUV is involved in an accident with a pedestrian.
Man killed by SUV west of Lake Worth was Guatemalan father of four
SunSentinel.com Jan. 29, 2009
Related Web Resources
National Safety Council: Pedestrian Safety
WalkingInfo.org: Common Pedestrian Problems and Solutions
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: Traffic Safety Tips
