Airway Heights, Washington – One Killed in Hit-and-Run

Airway Heights, Washington (May 16, 2019) – A man was killed after he was struck by a car while crossing Hayford Road on Thursday night. The victim had been crossing from east to west when he had been struck by a southbound vehicle. According to the press release, the driver initially stopped, but later fled to the south.

Deputies were called to the area after 9 p.m. The Sheriff’s Office is looking for information on two suspect vehicles and their drivers. Both were possibly parked in the parking lot of the Northern Quest Casino. One is a mid-2000s white Ford Crown Victoria that may have a spotlight on the driver’s side door, and the other is a dark sedan that was driven by a larger-built man with a female passenger.

About Pedestrian Accidents

Unfortunately, as shown in this case, pedestrians are at also risk while on the streets, with the National Center for Health Statistics estimating 7, 450  pedestrian deaths in 2017. Pedestrian accidents can fall under traffic or non-traffic depending on the location where they were struck. Traffic incidents happen on public roads, while non-traffic incidents occur on non-traffic areas such as driveways, parking lots and other private property. Most pedestrian deaths occur in urban settings, on urban roads (72%) versus on intersections (18%), and mostly at night. Much like motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents can happen simply because people are not as visible as other vehicles, a problem which is worse during night. And in an event of a car crash, similar to motorcycle drivers and passengers, the risk to pedestrians are greater than those inside a car, with fatality rate being 1.5 times greater than any car passenger.When it comes to risk, older adults, children, and alcohol-impaired drivers or pedestrians are at most risk in pedestrian accidents. The risk is further heightened in a situation where a vehicle is at high speed. Lately, distractions also cause accidents not only for drivers, but also pedestrians, specifically those who are using their phones while crossing the road. We urge everyone to exercise area awareness at all times and to keep their attention on the road. Avoiding accidents not only prevents loss, damage, injuries and death to one’s self, but also on other people in the surroundings.

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