Toppenish, Washington – Truck Hits Two Pedestrians, One in Hospital, One Dead From Injuries

Toppenish, Washington  (July 13, 2019) – One person died from his injuries and another remains in the hospital after getting struck by a truck while crossing the intersection at State Route 97 and Fort Road. One victim, identified as Delis Mark, was taken to the hospital but passed away from his injuries. The other injured victim, identified as Matthew George, was also injured and taken to the hospital. There has been no word regarding the severity of his injuries.

According to the Washington State Patrol, the truck driver was heading south on State Route 97 and was making a right turn at the same time the pedestrians were crossing. While turning, the truck struck both victims. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation, but as of the time of the report, no charges have been filed.

About Pedestrian Accidents

We offer our sympathies and compassion for the friends and loved ones of the victim. 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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