Utah Hit Run Accident Still Under Investigation

Salt Lake Police Department is still looking for the driver of a blue or silver SUV that was involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident Tuesday morning of April 13, 2010. The accident occurred around 6 am at the intersection of 2100 South and 500 East near St. Ann Catholic Church. Detective Dennis McGowan, of the SLPD , told KSL news reporters that the victims, whose identity has not been released, was in his late 40’s and may be homeless. The victim was crossing at the intersection when he was struck. A bus driver called 911 and several passengers attempted to administer emergency help.

Hit and Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents occur when an operator of a vehicle leaves the scene of an accident. It is the responsibility of the at-fault driver to stop, to provide aid and to accept responsibility of their part in the auto accident. The punishment for this type behavior can be severe, especially if the victim suffers serious injury and even death. The penalty can even increase to felony charges, vehicular manslaughter, prison time and substantial fees.

After hearing about tragic hit and run cases like the one above, we often wonder about what kind of person would hit or kill another person in an accident and flee. Although the at-fault driver was negligent and driving recklessly, the individual usually unintentionally hit the pedestrian, so why don’t they stop? Are they under the influence of drugs or alcohol? Did they not notice that they hit an individual? Do people just try to get away with what they can? Are they not insured? Do they have warrants out? Do they have a valid form of license? Are they afraid of the consequences? Despite my years of representing victims of hit-and-run accidents, I have yet to hear a complete answer to this difficult and painful question.

Statistics on Pedestrian Safety in Utah and Nationwide

• NHSTA reports that 1 in 5 pedestrian fatalities are victims of hit-and-run accidents

According to the National Safety Council, around 5,900 pedestrians are killed and 70,000 pedestrians are injured by vehicles every year. Almost 50% of these pedestrian fatalities and injuries occurred when pedestrians were crossing at appropriate intersections. Pedestrian safety is a serious issue for Utah Law makers as Utah ranks 29^th in pedestrian fatalities in the nation. The Utah Department of Health’s Violence & Injury Prevention Program has compiled the following statistics for Utah Pedestrian safety:

• 40 pedestrians are killed in Utah each year
• 1,055 pedestrians  injured  in crashes with motor vehicles are reported each year

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in an accident that was caused by the negligent action of another, we highly advise speaking to a skilled Utah auto accident and personal injury attorney. In order to ensure that your best interests are pursued, it is important to understand you legal rights. To schedule a FREE no obligation consultation with Attorney Ken Christensen call 801.506.0800.

Man Killed In Hit And Run

Salt Lake Police Department is still looking for the driver of a blue or silver SUV that was involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident Tuesday morning of April 13, 2010. The accident occurred around 6 am at the intersection of 2100 South and 500 East near St. Ann Catholic Church. Detective Dennis McGowan, of the SLPD , told KSL news reporters that the victims, whose identity has not been released, was in his late 40’s and may be homeless. The victim was crossing at the intersection when he was struck. A bus driver called 911 and several passengers attempted to administer emergency help.

Hit and Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents occur when an operator of a vehicle leaves the scene of an accident. It is the responsibility of the at-fault driver to stop, to provide aid and to accept responsibility of their part in the auto accident. The punishment for this type behavior can be severe, especially if the victim suffers serious injury and even death. The penalty can even increase to felony charges, vehicular manslaughter, prison time and substantial fees.

After hearing about tragic hit and run cases like the one above, we often wonder about what kind of person would hit or kill another person in an accident and flee. Although the at-fault driver was negligent and driving recklessly, the individual usually unintentionally hit the pedestrian, so why don’t they stop? Are they under the influence of drugs or alcohol? Did they not notice that they hit an individual? Do people just try to get away with what they can? Are they not insured? Do they have warrants out? Do they have a valid form of license? Are they afraid of the consequences? Despite my years of representing victims of hit-and-run accidents, I have yet to hear a complete answer to this difficult and painful question.

Statistics on Pedestrian Safety in Utah and Nationwide

• NHSTA reports that 1 in 5 pedestrian fatalities are victims of hit-and-run accidents

According to the National Safety Council, around 5,900 pedestrians are killed and 70,000 pedestrians are injured by vehicles every year. Almost 50% of these pedestrian fatalities and injuries occurred when pedestrians were crossing at appropriate intersections. Pedestrian safety is a serious issue for Utah Law makers as Utah ranks 29^th in pedestrian fatalities in the nation. The Utah Department of Health’s Violence & Injury Prevention Program has compiled the following statistics for Utah Pedestrian safety:

• 40 pedestrians are killed in Utah each year
• 1,055 pedestrians  injured  in crashes with motor vehicles are reported each year

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in an accident that was caused by the negligent action of another, we highly advise speaking to a skilled Utah auto accident and personal injury attorney. In order to ensure that your best interests are pursued, it is important to understand you legal rights. To schedule a FREE no obligation consultation with Attorney Ken Christensen call 801.506.0800.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Shayne Frix, 20, of Bluffdale, Utah, has been formally charged with negligent homicide for an auto accident she caused two years ago that resulted in the death of Kevin Leitch. The charges were filed in the Salt Lake County Third District Court on Tuesday, March 30, 2010.

What Happened in this Fatal Utah Accident?

On May 30, 2008, Shayne Frix, then 18-years-old, was driving at speeds twice the legal limit of 25 mph on her way to school. She ran a stop sign going 51 mph and struck the Subaru sedan driven by Kevin Leitch, who had just left his Bluffdale home and was on his way to work. The force of the impact was so severe that the bumper of Ms. Shayne Frix’s Ford F-250 pickup truck when through the front of the late Mr. Leitch’s sedan and struck Mr. Leitch in the head causing massive head trauma. Kevin Leitch’s vehicle was pushed 200 feet and through a fence into a backyard. Kevin Leitch later died in the hospital emergency room from the injuries he sustained in this tragic Utah auto accident. He is survived by his wife and three children.

My deepest condolences go to all those who knew and loved the late Mr. Leitch for the tragic loss of a husband, father and friend. Mr. Leitch had been an active leader in the community and his religious organizations and he will surely be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the young Ms. Frix, who made one bad decision that has resulted in catastrophic consequences for her, her family and the Leitch family.

Deadlines for Utah Wrongful Death Claims

If you have lost a family member or a loved one in a Utah accident due to the negligence of another, we highly advise seeking the expert wrongful death and accident attorneys of the Christensen Law Firm, PLLC. Time is of the essence as Utah Statute mandates that a claim be filed within two years of the death of the victim. Whether you have lost someone to a bicycle accident, pedestrian accident, motorcycle accident etc, in order to ensure that your legal rights are upheld, you need to speak to a skilled personal injury attorney.

You can schedule a FREE no obligation consultation with one of our skilled Salt Lake City personal injury attorneys. This is an opportunity to have a legal expert answer all of your questions and to provide you and your family with legal direction. You can contact Cara to schedule this FREE consultation.

Salt Lake County: 801.506.0800

Davis County: 801.224.2999

Utah County: 801.294-9500

Utah motorist pleads guilty in pedestrian accident.

Judge Royal Hansen of the Salt Lake City Third District Court sentenced Paul Riddle, 52, to community service after Mr. Riddle pled guilty to causing the death of a school crossing guard. According to KSL news, during a snow storm on December 16, 2008, Mr. Riddle was driving the truck that hit and killed Mr. Jim Smith, 77. Mr. Smith was working in the crosswalk outside Bennion Junior High School at the time of the fatal Utah pedestrian accident. The charges of negligent homicide, failure to yield to a pedestrian in a school zone and speeding in a school zone were dropped.

Utah Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Pedestrian safety is a serious issue in Utah. The Salt Lake City area was ranked 31^st most dangerous cities for pedestrians by the Surface Transportation Policy Project. The Utah Department of Health provides the following Utah pedestrian accident statistics:

• Each year around 40 pedestrians are killed in Utah
• 1,055 pedestrians were hit by motor vehicles last year

What Legal Options do the Family of the Victim Have?

Due to the snowstorm that contributed to the icy conditions on that fateful December morning, the family members of the late Mr. Smith have chosen not to pursue criminal charges against Mr. Riddle. However, the victim’s family member of a fatal Utah pedestrian accident may file a Wrongful Death Claim against the responsible party’s auto insurance. There is a limited time frame that this legal right is available to the heirs of the deceased. It is highly recommended that the members of the victim’s family contact an experienced Salt Lake City wrongful death attorney to discuss the legal options and benefits that are currently available to them.

The Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, is the leading wrongful death attorney in the state of Utah. Attorney Ken Christensen wrote The Utah Wrongful Death Guidebook to provide Utah residents with a delicate and valuable resource to anyone who is dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one due to a tragic accident. Please feel free to contact The Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, to schedule a free consultation