In early March a pedestrian was killed on Interstate 5 north of Woodland when a tractor-trailer crashed into him. The fatal pedestrian accident occurred early on the morning of March 3rd. Phillip Reich of Covington was driving the tractor-trailer in the right lane on I-5 when he noticed a blue Toyota Prius on the right shoulder. As he approached the Prius, he moved into the center lane. When he did so, he struck Zeus Perez of Portland, killing him instantly.
Investigators do not know why Mr. Perez was in the center lane of the highway. Yet since there were no other passengers or witnesses present, police are investigating the accident more closely. The deadly trucking accident closed I-5 North for 5 hours that day.
Pedestrians face risk every time they share the road with drivers. Motor vehicle drivers—even in the middle of the day, do not always recognize joggers and other pedestrians in the road. In the night, however, the risks of being injured in a pedestrian accident increase significantly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrians were more likely to be killed in crashes during the hours of 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Tips for Avoiding a Pedestrian Accident
Before you head out on the road, consider using these tips to stay safe and avoid deadly pedestrian accidents:
- Wear bright and reflective clothing
- Do not listen to headphones
- Do not talk or text on cellphone
- Keep your eyes on the road and on your surroundings
- Walk on sidewalks whenever possible
- Look both ways when crossing streets and intersections
- Never assume other drivers see you
- Walk with a buddy
- Walk facing traffic so you can react quickly to reckless drivers
- Wait for walk signals and cross at crosswalks
If you or someone you love is injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, it is important to know that you have legal rights. An experienced attorney can help you recover the damages you need after an accident. Pedestrian injuries are often severe and life changing. They often result in permanent disability or chronic pain. As a result, you need a lawyer on your side that understands the long-term complications that can arise.
