A Santa Maria pedestrian is hospitalized after being struck by a hit-and-run driver Monday night. The devastating accident occurred in northern Santa Maria near the intersection of Bunny Avenue and Broadway.
KSBY-TV reports it happened around 7:49 p.m. on March 20, 2023. Santa Maria Police determined that the adult male victim was walking on the sidewalk when a driver pulled out of a parking lot and struck him.
Investigators say the victim was dragged for several feet before he was run over. The victim was rushed to a local hospital with what were considered moderate injuries.
The driver involved fled the scene. Police officers used video surveillance in the area to assist in tracking him down. The vehicle and the driver were located at a trailer park.
Santa Maria Police took a 48-year-old Santa Maria man into custody. He was arrested for Felony Hit and Run and Driving Without a License.
Pedestrian Accident Dangers in Santa Maria
Pedestrians in Santa Maria can be placed at immediate risk by the poor choices of drivers. Motorists may make reckless moves or simply not be paying attention as they approach an intersection or cross a parking lot and put those on foot in jeopardy.
California transportation officials tracked pedestrian accidents in the city and across the county in 2021. They documented 85 pedestrian accidents involving serious injury in Santa Barbara County. Seventeen of those pedestrian accidents occurred in Santa Maria.
Drivers must remember that they owe pedestrians a special “duty of care” at all times. They must monitor every street and sidewalk for anyone on foot and then slow down when spotting a pedestrian. This care is due no matter where a pedestrian is encountered and it’s a safety measure meant to protect all defenseless people who travel on foot.
A word for victims after a Santa Maria pedestrian accident…
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Santa Maria, you should be aware of the benefits available to you and your family through an insurance claim. Financial support is often available to victims and families even while a hit-and-run driver is going through a criminal trial.
You can read more about these cases on my page about pedestrian accidents in Santa Maria.
