Homeless Man Died In Car Accident With Fresno Police Vehicle On The Sidewalk Along Mariposa Mall Plaza Just Outside of the Fresno Police Department
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA (October 26, 2022) – A homeless man has tragically died in a Fresno car accident with a police officer on the sidewalk of the Mariposa Mall Plaza.
Fresno police officers are saying that the accident took place around 3:30 p.m. by the Fresno Police Department. A homeless man may have been sleeping on the sidewalk when he was run over by a police officer.
The officer got out of his patrol vehicle after the accident and called 911. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim.
Despite the best efforts of first responders, the man died as a result of his injuries. The Fresno Police Department said that discipline is pending for the officer involved in the crash.
A full investigation into the crash by the Mariposa Mall Plaza remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Fresno Police Car Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in accidents with emergency vehicles. According to the National Safety Council, “In 2020, 180 people died in crashes involving emergency vehicles. The majority of these deaths were occupants of non-emergency vehicles (56%). Deaths among pedestrians accounted for another 25%, while emergency vehicle drivers represented 11% and emergency vehicle passengers accounted for about 5% of the deaths.” The vast majority of pedestrian collisions are totally preventable. There are a number of steps that drivers should take to avoid hitting pedestrians.
- Drivers should slow down in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.
- Drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
- Drivers should abstain from alcohol and other intoxicating substances.
Determining liability for any accident involving a police vehicle can be difficult. In general, police departments in California have a great deal of immunity for collisions if their officers are responding to emergencies. However, officers responding to emergencies must alert others of their presence by using their lights and sirens. If a police officer failed to use their lights and sirens prior to a crash, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
If a police officer is not responding to an emergency, they must obey all traffic laws like any other driver. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21950, the driver of any vehicle shall reduce their speed and take any action necessary to avoid colliding with a pedestrian. If a police officer fails to reduce their speed and runs over a pedestrian, the police department that they work for could be liable for the crash. Victims of pedestrian accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
The family of any person that is killed in a police car accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. Unfortunately, police departments will often fight extremely hard to deny liability for any collision. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Fresno Police Car Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the pedestrian killed in this crash by the Mariposa Mall Plaza. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of all who have lost so much.
Have you or someone that you care about been involved in a Fresno police vehicle accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any accident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
