New Bedford man killed in hit-and-run accident

Pedestrians are supposedly offered additional safety when they cross the street in a crosswalk area. Sadly, that is no guarantee of safety. Pedestrians, either in or out of crosswalks, should exercise caution when crossing a street.

An elderly pedestrian was crossing a street when he was struck by a car, and later died of his hit-and-run accident injuries.

The accident took place while the 76-year-old man was crossing Rockdale Avenue, the street on which he lived. The man was a resident of Hallmark Nursing Home in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

According to the police, there were witnesses to the accident. Witnesses reported that the driver of the car stopped and moved the injured man to the sidewalk before fleeing the scene. Bystanders apparently obtained a partial license plate as well as a description of the car.

Police were able to identify the driver from the partial license plate and damage to the front of a Cadillac. The driver of the car was arrested for allegedly striking the 76-year-old man, and has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident with injury, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and driving with a suspended license. The driver also had two outstanding warrants for larceny and destruction of property. No additional information about the driver was made public at this time.

In additional to his criminal charges, the driver may be held liable in civil court for the wrongful death of the 76-year-old man. The man’s family or survivors may be able to obtain compensation for their loss.

According to the police, accident reconstruction experts are working on the accident to determine the precise chain of events. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: South Coast Today, “Nursing home resident dies from injuries in accident,” Curt Brown, April 10, 2012