County police in Maryland say that there have now been two pedestrian fatalities as a result of the October 6 accident in Perry Hall where, that night, a Dodge van hit two pedestrians who were crossing the 9600 block of Belair Road.
One of the pedestrians, Anne Silk, 69, died at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center that night. The other pedestrian, Anne Dauria, 77, died a few days later. Police are investigating the cause of the accident. The driver of the van was not hurt.
The CDC says that in 1999:
· Nearly 5,000 pedestrians died from traffic-related injuries.
· Another 85,000 sustained nonfatal injuries
· People 65 and older accounted for 22% of all pedestrian deaths and approximately 8% of nonfatal pedestrian injuries. The pedestrian death rate for this age group is higher than for any other age group.
· The pedestrian fatality rate is more than twice as high for men as for women.
· Hit-and-run incidents account for one out of five pedestrian deaths.
· Approximately one-third of pedestrians 14 and older who were killed by a motor vehicle were intoxicated, with blood alcohol concentrations of 0.10% or more.
The U.S. Department of Federal Highway Administration says that in 1994:
· 1,249 senior adults ages 65 and older pedestrians died in traffic accidents.
· 6,850 older adults were injured as pedestrians.
The personal injury law firm of Lebowitz and Mzhen has successfully handled all kinds of pedestrian-related injury cases. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a result of a pedestrian accident in the Maryland or the Washington D.C. area, please contact Lebowitz and Mzhen via email or call toll-free at 1-888-311-HURT (4878) for a free, no obligation consultation.
Second Pedestrian Dies In Perry Hall Accident, baltimoresun.com, October 12, 2006
Focusing On The Senior Pedestrian, U.S. Department of Federal Highway Administration
Pedestrian Injuries, 2001-2002 Fact Book, CDC.gov
Related Web Resources:
Maryland Statewide Bicycle And Pedestrian Plan
Safety Tips For Pedestrians, Sharetheroadsafely.org