A tragic car-pedestrian accident claimed the life of 18-year-old Cameron Cook after he fell about 50 to 60 feet onto a cement embankment from a freeway overpass following a car accident near Orange, California.
Cook was a passenger in a 2001 Chevrolet Camaro going north on the 57 freeway, south of Katella Avenue, at 65 to 70 mph when the Camaro was involved in a “solo traffic collision,” according to the California Highway Patrol.
After the solo traffic collision, the car came to a rest, facing north on the right shoulder and partially blocking the No. 5 lane. After the car’s driver and Cook exited the car, a motorist stopped and advised the driver to turn on his emergency lights.
Pedestrian Accident Details
While the driver went back inside the car to turn on the lights, Cook remained on the right shoulder near the rear of the Camaro. A few minutes later, a 1993 Honda Civic traveling north on the 57 struck the front left side of the Camaro.
The force of the collision caused the Camaro to be pushed to the right, striking Cook and pushing him backward over the overpass railing, where he plunged to the concrete below. Cook was transported to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where he died, according to the coroner’s office.
Auto-Pedestrian Accident Caused by DUI
In this auto-pedestrian accident, the driver of the Honda Civic, Ashley Selina Bryan, was charged with one felony count each of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated without gross negligence, driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury and driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent or more causing bodily injury, as well as a sentencing enhancement for multiple victims.
If convicted, Bryan faces a maximum sentence of five years and eight months in state prison. She is being held on $100,000 bail.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
A pedestrian that gets hit by a vehicle moving at speeds of 65 mph or greater has no protection from the force of impact during this type of car accident. According to the CHP there were 164 California pedestrian deaths on freeways in 2009. There were 185 California pedestrian deaths on freeways in 2008.
Pedestrian Accident Law
Pedestrian accident laws are designed to protect pedestrians from negligent drivers, and a majority of cases are automatically resolved in the pedestrian’s favor strictly due to the fact that most of the burden is placed on the car driver to be vigilant and safe. In this case, the offending driver was reportedly intoxicated.
Call a California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Hopefully the family of Cameron Cook has contacted a California pedestrian accident lawyer and is being advised of their rights to file a claim for a pedestrian accident claim. From the news report, it certainly sounds as if they are entitled to a pedestrian accident settlement.
If you, or someone you love, have been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, or a car accident, you need to call 877-702-7274 to speak to an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer. You are most likely entitled to compensation for pain, suffering, medical costs and more. Do not delay or you may give up your rights. Contact our pedestrian accident attorney today.
