A 15-year-old sustained injuries serious enough to require transport by helicopter to a hospital after he was hit by an SUV at the intersection of Warwick Boulevard and Thorncliff Avenue in Newport News, Virginia (VA). The pedestrian accident occurred near a major shopping center close to the center of the city, and the intersection is controlled by traffic lights. Crosswalks mark the pavement.
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Police continued investigating the Saturday evening pedestrian accident through the weekend. Officials did not release any information regarding a suspected cause for the crash, nor did they state whether they expected to press charges.
As a Virginia personal injury lawyer whose firm has helped many pedestrians hit and injured by negligent and reckless drivers, I know that speeding, distraction and failure to keep a good lookout for people in crosswalks can lead to tragedies. Impairment by drugs and alcohol also plays a factor far too often.
I also know that many people step out into traffic without taking proper precautions like looking both ways or waiting for signals to change in their favor. Regardless of which circumstances contributed to the accident in Newport News, the lesson that both drivers and pedestrians must be careful and respectful when sharing the road is inescapable.
I wish the injured teen a full and rapid recovery.
EJL