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Stockton Road Pedestrian Deaths Part of Larger Problem in California

A Sonora woman was killed on a recent Friday after attempting to cross Highway 108 near Stockton Road.  The death is another example of several tragic accidents involving pedestrians that have occurred on Stockton Road in recent years, and it is emblematic of California’s larger problem with fatal accidents involving pedestrians statewide.  Read on for details about the accident and California’s pedestrian accident problem, and contact an experienced Stockton or Sutter Creek pedestrian accident lawyer for help after an accident in California’s Central Valley.

Pedestrian killed on Stockton Road in Sonora, one of several severe accidents in recent years

A woman from Sonora was on the shoulder of Highway 108 east of Stockton Road at around 6:30 p.m. on a recent Friday when she ran into the eastbound lane, apparently attempting to cross the highway.  She was then struck by a man driving a 2016 Chrysler at about 50 miles per hour. The impact launched her into the air. While airborne, she was struck by a second vehicle, a 2018 Ford, also traveling at about 50 miles per hour.  The Ford was driven by a Chinese Camp man.

Stockton Road has had issues with pedestrian traffic fatalities in the recent past.  In November 2017, a 38-year-old Sonora man was struck and killed by a vehicle when he crossed the street outside of a marked crosswalk near the Mother Lode Fairgrounds.  A 61-year-old Stockton woman was likewise killed in March 2015 as she left the Sonora Celtic Faire at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. More recently, last month a homeless man was seriously injured after being hit by a 2017 Nissan Titan while riding a bicycle on Stockton Road.  He was listed in serious condition at a nearby hospital as of this writing.

California has more pedestrian deaths than any other state

The Stockton Road accidents are, unfortunately, far from unique in the state of California.  A report from the Governor’s Highway Safety Association showed that California has more pedestrian traffic fatalities than any other state in the country.  From January through June 2017, just half the year, 352 pedestrians were struck by motor vehicles and killed in California. In comparison, for example, there was one pedestrian traffic fatality in Hawaii and one in Wyoming in the same time period.

California does have a higher population, of course; overall, the state ranks 15th in terms of pedestrian deaths per capita.  The report shows a drop in deaths from 2016 to 2017, but the numbers remain alarming. The report indicates that Los Angeles County has a large majority of pedestrian accidents, accounting for 265 pedestrian deaths in 2016.

If you need legal help after a pedestrian accident or other car crash in California, contact the skilled, experienced, and passionate Stockton and Sutter Creek auto accident attorneys at Redkey Gordon Law Corp for a no-cost consultation at 209-267-1685.