Pedestrians

October 24, 2013

Ashland Teen Struck by Car While Walking to School

An Ashland teenager suffered severe injuries after she was struck by a car while walking to school this morning.

The girl, 16, was crossing the street in front of the Ashland Town Hall when she was hit. It was unclear to authorities whether the girl was in the crosswalk at the time of the accident. The teen was rushed to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston via medical rescue helicopter with severe head trauma, and multiple bodily injuries. Authorities are still investigating the cause to this accident, and have not released the identity of the teenager.

Unfortunately, pedestrian traffic accidents account for more than 13% of all traffic-related fatalities and 3% of all personal injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) a pedestrian is injured every eight minutes and one pedestrian dies every two hours as the result of a traffic accident in the United States. Approximately 20% of all pedestrian car accidents according to the NHTSA, are also hit-and-run accidents. While we do not have much information about this particular incident, what can be assumed is that this young lady was walking during the early morning hours; at a time where there was minimal daylight.

In order to prevent an accident and keep themselves visible to motorists, pedestrians should always:
-Wear bright or reflective clothing and carry a flashlight when walking during the early hours of the morning, at dusk, or at night.
-Walk on sidewalks (whenever possible) and walk against the traffic when there are no sidewalks.
-Cross at designated crosswalks whenever possible.
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October 15, 2013

Middleborough Authorities Continue Search for Driver of Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident

by Altman & Altman

Authorities in Middleborough have released new details in their search for the driver who struck and killed a local bicyclist last week.

Michael Dutra, 58, of Middleborough was the victim of the fatal hit-and-run accident, which occurred around 7 p.m. Friday evening. Authorities believe Dutra was either riding or walking his bicycle along Wood Street, where he resided.

Plymouth Country District Attorney Timothy Cruz, as well as Middleborough’s Chief of Police Bruce Gates, said that investigators of the accident had started to piece the scene together, and have collected debris from what they believe to be a light-colored model year 2005-2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Authorities think that the vehicle is possibly missing the front marker lens, may have a broken right headlight lens, as well as a damaged right front bumper. Investigators need your help. Anyone with any information regarding the case is encouraged to contact the Middleborough Police Department at (508) 947-1212.

While bike riding is a popular mode of transportation, it is also extremely dangerous, especially for individuals who choose ride at night. Unlike passengers in motor vehicles, bicyclists have no physical protective barriers against outside elements like cars, trees, guardrails, fences, and other large vehicles, and are at the mercy of others traveling on the road.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 500,000 people are treated for serious bicycle-related injuries each year, and more than 700 individuals die each year. A majority of these injuries are head injuries attributed to not wearing a helmet. Though many people dismiss the idea of wearing a helmet because of atheistic reasons, or because they feel their short commute does not warrant wearing one, wearing a helmet could make all the difference, and could even save a life. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that bicycle helmets are 85-88% effective in preventing severe head and brain injuries. Other types of injuries commonly sustained in bicycle accidents include concussions, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, lacerations, paralysis, and death.
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October 9, 2013

No Charges Against Truck Driver Involved in May Bike Accident

by Altman & Altman

Prosecutors will not be pressing charges against the Amherst truck driver who struck and killed a bicyclist last May.

Livingston Pangburn, a Hampshire College student, was fatally injured when he collided with an Amherst College box truck. According to the Northwestern district attorney’s office, Pangburn was traveling in heavy traffic along College Street, and did not stop with the traffic to allow the westbound truck to make a left turn onto the college’s campus.

Police reports stated that the driver of the truck did not see the cyclist in time to stop, and Pangburn was not able to maneuver around the truck in time to avoid the crash. Prosecutors do not believe that any impairment, cell phone use, or mechanical defects with the vehicle played a role in the accident.

While this is undoubtedly a tragic story, it also puts into perspective the dangers cyclists face when riding their bikes. Because bicyclists are extremely vulnerable compared to passengers to a motor vehicles due to their lack of physical barriers to protect themselves, it is crucial for them to do their part to prevent a serious accident from occurring.

5 Tips to Stay Safe on Your Bike

1. Always, always, always wear a helmet. While it seems to be a phrase engrained in everyone’s head, so many individuals do not understand how important helmets are in preventing serious head injuries. Some people dismiss the idea of wearing a helmet because of atheistic reasons, or because they feel their short commute doesn’t warrant wearing one. But wearing a helmet could make all the difference, and could even save a life.

2. Travel with the traffic, not against it. Always ride on the right side of the road, and go with the flow of traffic. Remember that bicycles are considered vehicles too, and cyclists are responsible for adhering to the same rules of the road as drivers. If you come to a stop sign or red light, you are legally bound to stop. In addition, you are responsible for yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks, just as motorists are.
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October 7, 2013

Junior Operator Cited After Weekend Crash in South End

by Altman & Altman

A 17-year-old was cited after she struck and seriously injured a couple and their infant child in the South End on Sunday afternoon.

According to witnesses and investigators, the teenager hit the couple and child as they were crossing the street near Columbus Avenue and Dartmouth Street. The teen’s car also hit a pole and the side of a brownstone at Lawrence and Dartmouth streets. The couple and their child were taken to Tufts Medical Center and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for serious injuries. The child was not seriously injured and was released to family members. The father was admitted for a leg and head injury, and the mother suffered serious head and neck trauma.

4-25-13%20blog2.jpg The driver was operating with a junior operator’s license, and had been driving with another 17-year-old in the car; a violation of J.O.L passenger restrictions. According to Massachusetts Law, junior operators may not operate a motor vehicle within the first six months of obtaining his or her license with an individual under the age of 18 years, unless accompanied by a person who is at least 21 years old, has at least one year of driving experience, holds a valid driver’s license from Massachusetts or another state, and is occupying the passenger seat. Violations of this restriction may result in the driver having his or her license suspended for 60-days and paying a $100 license reinstatement fee for the first offense. Subsequent offenses result in a longer suspension period, taking a Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course, as well as a reinstatement fee.

The teenager was most likely cited for the passenger violation, as well as operating to endanger, negligent operation, and reckless driving, which carries a license suspension of 180 days and a reinstatement fee of $500, for the first offense. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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September 17, 2013

Waltham Boy Airlifted After Being Hit by Truck

by Altman & Altman

A 12-year-old Waltham boy was seriously injured after he was struck by a dump truck while riding his bike this morning.

According to police reports, the young man was hit near Pine Street in Waltham by a 22-year-driver of a dump truck. The boy was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, and was conscious when rescue officials arrived at the scene. He was flown by helicopter to Children’s Hospital in Boston to be treated for severe head and elbow lacerations.

With school back in session, it is important for drivers to be aware of the extra foot and bicycle traffic on the roads during the morning commute. This instance is an unfortunate example of how inattention can lead to a serious accident, injury, and sometimes death.

Pedestrians and bicyclists are extremely vulnerable compared to passengers to a motor vehicle because they do not have any physical barriers to protect themselves if they are hit by a car, truck, or any other vehicle or object on the road. Boston and the surrounding Massachusetts communities, like Waltham, are filled with activity and traffic that pose serious threats to pedestrians’ and bicyclists’ safety. Broken bones, serious cuts and lacerations, bruises, skin burns, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and even death are common injuries of pedestrian and bicycle accidents.

Both pedestrians and bicyclists can do their part to increase their own safety by:
• Always wearing a helmet while riding a bike. Helmets are the most practical way to prevent a serious head or brain injury in the event of an accident.
• Wearing bright or reflective clothing, carrying a flashlight or wearing a flashing headlamp when walking or riding at dusk and at night. Wearing dark clothing makes it harder for drivers to see, but wearing reflective clothing will ensure that you will be better seen by vehicle operators.
• Walk on sidewalks whenever possible or walk against traffic when there are no sidewalks.
• Ride in designated bike lanes, use proper hand-gestures to signal turns, and follow the rules of the road. Remember that bicyclists must follow the same rules as cars.
• Cross at designated crosswalks and avoid jaywalking whenever possible.
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July 22, 2013

Woman Seriously Injured after Marion, MA Hit-and-Run Accident

by Altman & Altman

A woman was seriously injured during a hit-and-run accident in Marion yesterday afternoon.

Marion police officers responded to a call of a pedestrian who was struck on County Road just after 4 p.m. on Sunday. The woman, aged 40, sustained severe injuries and one of her dogs was killed during the accident. She was taken to Tobey Hospital in Wareham, and then transported by helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital.

Police were able to track down the driver, David R. Pajunen, 22 of Wareham late last night. Pajunen was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, causing injury, and a marked lanes violation.

July 2, 2013

Worcester Police Investigate the City’s Third Pedestrian Fatality

by Altman & Altman

Worcester police are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident that left a 67-year old man dead last Friday night.

The victim’s neighbor, Christopher Maider, found the man lying face down in the road around 9:30 p.m. Friday. Police said the victim was crossing the road when he was struck by a 63-year-old female driver. He did not cross at a crosswalk, however. The female driver did stop, and no charges have been filed since the incident.

According to Maider, the street where the incident took place is especially busy, and he said he doesn’t feel safe walking down that street.

“If I went to this crosswalk and stood there, nobody would stop, which is the motor vehicle law. You see somebody in the crosswalk, you are required to stop; that’s the law. That’ll never happen here,” Maider said.

Sadly, this incident marks the third pedestrian fatality in the city of Worcester, alone, and it serves as a grave reminder to both pedestrians and drivers to be vigilant and safe on the roadways.

Pedestrian accidents account for more than 13% of all traffic fatalities. Pedestrians also make up 3% of all persons injured in motor vehicle accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that a pedestrian is injured every eight minutes and one pedestrian dies every two hours as the result of a traffic accident in the United States.
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May 14, 2013

League of American Bicyclists Recognizes Cambridge, MA as Gold-Level Bicycle Community

by Altman & Altman

On Monday, the city of Cambridge was named a Gold-level bicycle friendly community by The League of American Bicyclists, making it the highest rated city to bicycle in on the East coast. The recognition and ceremony comes in observance of National Bike Safety Month.

Cambridge, which is only one of 18 cities nationwide that has received this award, was recognized on its bicycle friendliness, infrastructure, and its investment into bicycle promotion with the establishment of the Hubway share program.

According to city officials, there are three times as many bikers on Cambridge and Boston roads today, than there were only a decade ago. Many bikers cite traffic congestion and the “Green” lifestyle appeal as their reasons for switching to two wheels.

State leaders have shown their enthusiasm for the shift in bike riding, and last fall, the Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that by 2030, it wanted to triple the rate of biking, walking, and public transit. Currently over 22,000 people regularly cycle to work around the entire commonwealth. The biggest challenge MassDOT faces is the process it will take to educate people about the rules of the road, and the development of necessary infrastructure to encourage and accommodate more cyclists.

Advocates are pushing for more improvements on safety before encouraging more cyclists onto the roads, based on the rates of bicycle accidents around the city-especially those involving collisions with motor vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 39 cyclists were killed and 2,100 people sustained non-fatal injuries between 2007 and 2011 in Massachusetts. Five cyclists have already been killed this year.
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March 27, 2013

Police Say Weymouth, MA Driver Intentionally Struck Pedestrian

by Altman & Altman

Police claim a patron left Buck’s Bar & Grill without paying his tab, climbed into his car, and rammed a customer who chased him outside trying to get him to pay his bill.

Captain Rick Fuller said the driver, Michael K. Fay, 48, of Weymouth, MA refused to pay his bill and then left the restaurant. “The victim followed him outside and demanded that he return and pay the bar tab,” Fuller said. “The suspect attempted to back out and struck the victim, pinning him between two vehicles. The suspect then fled the area.”

Fay now faces criminal charges including leaving the scene of an accident after causing personal injury, operating under the influence of alcohol and causing serious bodily injury, operating a motor vehicle to endanger and leaving an accident scene after causing property damage.

Emergency responders transported the alleged victim, a 38-year-old Weymouth man, to South Shore Hospital for treatment of severe trauma, said Fuller. “The victim was later transported to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston because of the severity of his injuries,” he said. The incident took place at around 8:36 p.m.

Police found Fay shortly after the incident on North Street after officer Ryan Hamacher recognized the license plate number and vehicle matched the description witnesses provided, Fuller said. “It was confirmed that Fay was the suspect in this hit-and-run pedestrian crash,” he said.

Fay allegedly failed numerous field sobriety tests before officials charged him with operating under the influence and other offenses, according to Fuller.

Police held Fay overnight at police headquarters on $5,000 cash bail before his arraignment, Fuller said.

“The accident is currently being investigated by the Weymouth Police Fatal Crash Reconstruction Team,” Fuller stated.
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March 4, 2013

Peabody, MA Resident Faces Hit-and-Run Charges Following Boston Pedestrian Accident

by Altman & Altman

On Sunday, March 3, 2013, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle as she was crossing Lansdowne Street in Boston, MA. The pedestrian, whose identity and current medical condition has not yet been released by the authorities, was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for treatment following the collision.

Boston Police Department Foot Patrolmen witnessed the accident. The Officers witnessed a Mercury Grand Marquis strike the pedestrian around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. According to a press release from the Boston Police Department, “[t]he vehicle did not attempt to stop after striking the victim.”

Following the hit-and-run accident, the Police released a broadcast which described the vehicle involved in the incident. Subsequently, the Boston Police stopped the suspect’s car on Boylston Street. The Police then identified the driver as 30 year old Everett W. Strauss of Peabody, Massachusetts.

Straus has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury and possession of a Class D drug.
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