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A Los Angeles man has been charged with felony DUI in connection with an October 11 Santa Barbara automobile accident that left a pedestrian with critical and life-threatening injuries.
The 23-year-old man is accused making a left turn into a 24-year-old pedestrian who was crossing at the 300 block of Carrillo Street. Initial blood tests determined that the driver of the automobile had a blood alcohol content of 0.11. It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or above.
The accused was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail and bail was set at $100,000. According to Santa Barbara D.A. sources, the man will be arraigned on the charges on December 3.
Protecting Yourself as a Pedestrian
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 460 people a day are treated in emergency departments for traffic-related pedestrian injuries. In 2010, more than 4,200 pedestrians died and over 70,000 were injured.
How can you protect yourself from being a pedestrian injury statistic? Here are a few tips:
- Walk on the sidewalk when one is available. If you must walk in the street, do so facing traffic.
- Don’t walk while intoxicated. Sadly, 33 percent of all pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2010 were legally drunk. Drunk walking can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.
- Cross at designated crosswalks and intersections. Drivers don’t expect to see pedestrians crossing in the middle of roads, especially on roads where vehicles are traveling at high speeds. And never assume you are safe just because you have a “walk” sign. Always look both ways and make sure a driver sees you before crossing a street.
- Pay attention. Distracted walking can be as dangerous as distracted driving. Talking on a cell phone or texting while walking can be a hazardous practice that can get you killed or injured.
- Make yourself visible at night. Seventy percent of all pedestrian deaths occur at night. Wear reflective clothing or carry a flashlight when walking in the dark.
An Attorney Dedicated to Your Recovery
The pedestrian injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Reneé J. Nordstrand urge pedestrians to exercise caution and common sense to protect themselves from negligent and intoxicated drivers. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent motorist, contact us at our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 or our Encino office at (818) 981-3530 for a free, no-obligation review of your case.