Driver Asleep at the Wheel Strikes, Kills Man Waiting at Louisville TARC Bus Stop

A 47-year-old man was killed early Sunday morning at a TARC bus stop after a motorist asleep at the wheel struck him, reports The Courier-Journal. The fatal Louisville pedestrian accident occurred at the bus stop at Dixie Highway and Blanton Lane, close to Pleasure Ridge Park.

According to the article, the man was standing at the bus stop when he was struck by a Suzuki Sidekick that veered off the road at about 6 a.m. Officials report that the driver told police he fell asleep at the wheel and drifted over to the sidewalk, hitting the pedestrian. The man, a resident of Shively, was declared dead later that morning at the University Hospital. The driver was not injured in the collision. Charges have yet to be filed against the driver, whose name has not been released by authorities. It is not suspected that alcohol or drugs were involved in the fatal crash.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 4,378 pedestrians were killed in accidents in the United States during 2008, while another 69,000 pedestrians were injured in these crashes also during that year. These alarming statistics result in an average of one pedestrian killed in an accident approximately every 120 minutes and another pedestrian injured in a collision every eight minutes. Interestingly, the agency reports that the majority of pedestrian deaths during 2008 took place in urban areas (72 percent), at non-intersection locations (76 percent), in normal weather conditions (89 percent), and at night (70 percent).

To prevent pedestrian injuries and fatalities, the NHTSA encourages pedestrians to cross streets at designated crosswalks. Before crossing, always look both ways. The agency also promotes using flashlights and wearing reflective clothing while walking at night to increase visibility to motorists. The NHTSA also cautions pedestrians to walk on the sidewalk when possible, but if a pedestrian must walk in the street, pedestrians should walk facing traffic.

Anyone who has lost a loved one in an accident caused by a negligent motorist is well-advised to consult with a wrongful death attorney in Kentucky to learn more about the legal options available to them. Holding a motorist accountable for their negligence can also ensure such negligence does not occur again, in addition to obtaining compensation for a family’s suffering.