Georgia Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Car While Texting

According to Hinesville law enforcement officials, a pedestrian was hit by a Honda CRV as he crossed East Oglethorpe Highway last Tuesday.

The pedestrian was texting on his cellphone when he was hit by the Honda, causing him to roll onto the hood and hit the windshield. The car traveled 100 feet or more before the man fell off the car.

The man was airlifted by a medical air evacuation helicopter to Memorial Medical Center in Savannah where he was pronounced dead at 6:47 a.m.

Authorities have not filed charges against the driver of the Honda CRV.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY TIPS

When a tragic, preventable accident like this occurs, it serves as a wakeup call to pedestrians and drivers to take responsibility for road and highway safety.

Drivers and pedestrians should be particularly careful between the hours of 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m., as 32 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur during this time, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Here are five tips for pedestrians to increase their visibility and minimize fatalities:

• Wear clothing that is easy to see – Wear bright colors during daylight hours and reflective, lighter colored clothing after dark.
• Never assume – Do not expect that drivers will make eye contact with you and stop their vehicles.
• Use sidewalks when available – If there are no sidewalks, walk on the opposite side of the road facing traffic to increase visibility.
• Put electronic devices and cellphones away – When crossing the street, it is imperative you pay full attention to the task of crossing safely and keep your eyes on what is going on around you.
• Limit alcohol consumption – If you know you will be walking home after a night of drinking alcohol, do not drink to the point of impairment. Alcohol is a factor in almost half of fatal pedestrian accidents, with pedestrians being the impaired ones 34 percent of the time.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, contact a Savannah personal injury attorney at The Nye Law Group to schedule your free consultation. We are firmly committed to obtaining the maximum compensation and justice you deserve.