A pedestrian accident has claimed the life of a man in Danville, Illinois. The accident happened on Sunday night, and police believe that alcohol played a factor in the crash. According to Danville Police, 23-year-old Merit Hicks was attempting to cross the four-lane highway of Vermillion Street when he was struck by a vehicle. The vehicle was operated by 43-year-old Randy Hill, who was traveling in the northbound lanes. Hill’s car struck Hicks at approximately 9:59 p.m., and he was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Hill has been arrested and will soon be charged with aggravated driving under the influence.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 5,000 individuals are killed in pedestrian accidents every year, and an additional 76,000 pedestrians sustain injuries. Walking is a great option as a method of travel, and is used as a form of exercise by millions of individuals. However, walking can be dangerous due to drivers having a difficult time seeing pedestrians because of their smaller size compared to vehicles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage pedestrians to follow all safety precautions to avoid an accident such as wearing reflective clothing, and utilizing sidewalks and crosswalks when available. However, the safest pedestrian is still at risk for being injured in an accident with a vehicle due to the negligence of the driver. Pedestrians injured, or the families of pedestrians killed, may have grounds for compensation if a negligent driver is to blame.
The experienced St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Meyerkord & Kurth have recovered over $350 million in compensation for our client’s damages. Our attorneys will fight aggressively to hold any negligent party accountable while supporting you throughout the process of the case. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, contact us today.