HUNTINGTON BEACH, California – Tanya Freed, 20, of Huntington Beach was killed early Monday night after being struck by an 82-year-old male driver of a blue Isuzu Rodeo sports utility vehicle at the intersection of Warner Avenue and Sims Lane, according to a press release issued by the Huntington Beach Police Department.
According to the report, the woman sustained severe injuries in the Huntington Beach pedestrian crash and was treated by paramedics at the scene of the 6:30 p.m. crash. Huntington Beach Fire Department paramedics transported the woman to Huntington Beach Hospital where she died just before 7 p.m.
“It is unknown why the adult female pedestrian was in the roadway,” the report said.
The Huntington Beach Police Department is investigating the pedestrian crash and seeking any witnesses who saw it to come forward. The driver who struck Freed remained at the scene and was cooperative with police.
“Drivers must be alert for pedestrians and use the utmost care on our roadways,” said Attorney West Seegmiller, founder of the Seegmiller Law Firm. “Pedestrians who are injured or killed in crashes will ultimately hold the driver responsible if they are deemed negligent.”
The Huntington Beach Police Department is seeking witnesses regarding this incident. Anyone who saw the collision or who has information is encouraged to contact Officer Fulton at 714-536-5670.
California Pedestrian Car Accident Law
“Under California Vehicle Code Section 21950 (a) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(b) This section does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for his or her safety. No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. No pedestrian may unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
(c) The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the vehicle or take any other action relating to the operation of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.
(d) Subdivision (b) does not relieve a driver of a vehicle from the duty of exercising due care for the safety of any pedestrian within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.”
Huntington Beach Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Source: California Highway Patrol Statewide Integrated Traffic Report
Pedestrians need to be especially cautious on our roadways because they are more vulnerable to serious injury or even death. There were three pedestrians killed and 58 others injured in car accidents in Huntington Beach in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol Statewide Integrated Traffic Report. In Orange County 41 pedestrians died and 864 were injured in 2009.
In California, there were 598 pedestrians killed and 12,418 injured in 2009, according to the CHP traffic report.
National data compiled by the National Highway Transportation and Safety Authority shows that pedestrian injuries and fatalities in the United States were up 4.9% in 2010 to 4,280 deaths and injuries were up 19% in 2010 to 70,000 people injured.
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The Seegmiller Law Firm can be reached at 1-855-ASK–WEST(1-855-275-9378). For over 30 years, the firm has been a staunch advocate for victims’ rights and has fought for clients involved in personal injury and wrongful death cases, including premises liability, product liability, auto accidents, dog bites, nursing home negligence, medical malpractice, at-work injuries and more. The firm has offices in Irvine, Riverside, Los Angeles and San Bernardino, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
