Eureka DUI Pedestrian Collision
I’m Ed Smith a Eureka car accident lawyer. On Tuesday, August 1, 2017, a pedestrian was struck by an oncoming vehicle in Eureka.
Accident Information
According to information reported by the Eureka Police Department (EPD), the collision occurred shortly before 10 p.m. when a 51-year-old male driver had been traveling northbound on Highway 101 near Broadway Street through the middle of the city. A pedestrian had reportedly been using a crosswalk at the intersection of Henderson and Broadway at this time. EPD indicated that the driver failed to stop and struck the pedestrian at dangerous speeds.
Injury and Response
After receiving a call reporting that a pedestrian had been injured, EPD dispatched emergency medical personnel to the site of the collision. When medics arrived, they found that the pedestrian had suffered an ankle injury. The woman was transported by medical ambulance to the St. Joseph Hospital for medical care.
Authorities Detain Suspect
Authorities reportedly arrested the driver of the errant vehicle under suspicion of driving under the influence leading to injury. No further information about why the driver did not stop for the pedestrian was provided. Additionally, no other vehicles or persons were reported to have been involved in the accident.
Dangers of Drunk Driving
Driving while intoxicated is a serious problem in the United States. Drunk driving is listed as a causal factor in almost one-third of accidents involving fatalities across the nation. The reason driving while drunk is so dangerous is that alcohol reduces a driver’s ability to react in time to changing roadway conditions. For instance, a driver who is intoxicated may see a pedestrian in the road at the same time as a sober driver, but might not be able to stop their car in time to avoid a serious collision.
Drunk Driving Statistics in Eureka
Driving while under the influence of intoxicating substances is the fourth most common traffic law violation that leads to injuries in Eureka. Studies conducted by UC Berkeley show that, over the last three years, DUI violations have caused a total of 65 injury accidents, more than 8 percent of Eureka’s total collisions that involved somebody being hurt.
Pedestrian Collisions in Eureka
Over the past four years, there have been 107 pedestrian accidents in the city of Eureka alone. Additionally, pedestrians are injured at a lower rate than pedestrians in Eureka’s neighbor city, Arcata.
Those looking to avoid being injured in a pedestrian accident should always follow traffic regulations predictably when walking near roadways. It is also a good idea to wear bright clothing when walking at night and to walk facing traffic so that you have time to notice and react to oncoming vehicles.
Related Articles by Eureka Car Accident Lawyer, Ed Smith:
- Eureka Pedestrian Collision – July 14, 2017
Eureka Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Eureka car accident lawyer. A car collision can be a life-changing event. If you or somebody that you know has faced serious injuries in a crash, contact me using (707) 564-1900 to receive free, friendly advice. Also, you may call (800) 404-5400 to get in touch with me.
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Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Final Photograph: Eureka Car Accident Lawyer, Edward A Smith
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