A 24-year-old skateboarder has died in a San Diego car accident after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The man, who has not been identified, was heading west in the right eastbound lane of Hacienda Drive near South Emerald Drive in Vista early morning on November 15, 2009 when he was hit by a white 1987 BMW driven by a 23-year-old man. Apparently, witnesses told officials that the skateboarder crossed directly into the path of the car, which was heading east. The victim was treated at the scene, but he reportedly died before being taken to the hospital. The driver of the BMW has not been arrested pending a police investigation.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this young man who was fatally injured in this pedestrian accident. Please keep this grieving family in your prayers.

San Diego Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one fatality and 27 injuries involving pedestrian car accidents were reported in Vista. In San Diego County as a whole, 51 deaths and 1,068 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007. Also, countywide, car accidents claimed 268 lives and injured 14,641 people during the same year.

Based on this news report, it appears that the skateboarder, in this case the victim, went into the path of the car. However, if I were a member of this victim's family, I'd want to know exactly how and why this fatal pedestrian accident happened. I trust the official investigation, which is apparently still ongoing, will provide more answers in this case.

What Caused this Fatal Car Accident?

There are some questions that are still unanswered. Was the driver of the BMW intoxicated at the time of the accident? Was he going too fast? Why could he not stop his car in time to avoid the collision? Was there a dangerous roadway condition such as lack of lighting or any other obstruction, which prevented the driver from seeing the skateboarder in time? It is entirely possible that this accident was the skateboarder's fault, but it is important to determine whether there was any negligence on the part of the driver or a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this fatal car accident.

If an unsafe or defective roadway contributed to the accident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable. Any claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. An experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise victims and their families about their legal rights and options and help determine whether they have a personal injury claim. The best personal injury lawyers will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injury victims and their families.
