An 11-year-old boy and a woman suffered injuries in a Los Angeles car accident on Halloween night, which officials say involved a hit-and-run driver. According to an NBC news account, the collision occurred at the intersection of East 92nd Street and Beach Street in Watts, the night of October 31, 2012.
Police say the victims were both wearing Halloween costumes and crossing the road when a silver Suzuki struck them and left the scene. Both were hospitalized, but the nature and extent of their injuries is not known. The car was found nearby with candy still on its damaged hood. Officials are trying to locate the driver. Anyone with information is asked to contact California Highway Patrol officials at 310-516-3355.
My heart goes out to the trick-or-treaters who were seriously injured in this crash. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Pedestrian Accidents on Halloween
According to statistics from State Farm Insurance and the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, between 1990 and 2010, Halloween was the deadliest time of the year for child pedestrian fatalities.
During this decade, 115 child pedestrian deaths were reported on Halloween. More than 70 percent of the accidents occurred away from an intersection or crosswalk and most of the deaths involved children ages 12 to 15 years of age followed by children ages 5 to 8.
Leaving the Scene of a Crash
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver struck the trick-or-treaters and fled the scene leaving the injured victims lying on the roadway. Appalling! Leaving the scene of an injury crash is not only inhumane and irresponsible, but also illegal under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a).
The law requires motorists to stop immediately, contact authorities, exchange information with the other parties and most importantly, get help for the injured. In this case, the driver did none of the above, but chose to flee and abandon the vehicle with the trick-or-treaters’ candy still stuck to the hood.
Holding Hit-and-Run Drivers Accountable
I certainly hope that this hit-and-run driver is apprehended and brought to justice. If you have any information about this incident, please visit our dedicated hit-and-run web site at www.hitandrunreward.com to offer an anonymous tip and become eligible to receive a $1,000 reward.
Injured hit-and-run victims are often left with significant financial burdens including medical expenses and treatment costs. Victims or their families in such cases would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.
A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise victims about how their own auto insurance policy might apply to a hit-and-run case where the driver has not been identified or in a car accident case where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
SLS Consulting