Authorities say that 29-year-old Kyle McNeley of Lakewood was struck and killed by a hit-and-run DUI driver last week in Long Beach. McNeley, who was bound to a wheelchair, was found by officers lying in the roadway north of Harvey Way on Bellflower Boulevard on Thursday. McNeley was pronounced dead at a local hospital. He was attempting to cross the street in the crosswalk at the time of the incident.
Police say that Jesus Jorge Arias, age 37 of Lakewood, was traveling northbound in a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee when he struck the victim. Aris initially fled from the scene, but he ultimately returned. He is charged with driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage (causing injury), driving with a BAC of 0.08 (causing injury), hit-and-run driving resulting in death, and two counts of child abuse under circumstances likely to produce great bodily injury or death. Arias will be arraigned on April 18 and is being held under a $330,000 bond.
Long Beach No Stranger to Pedestrian Accidents
Long Beach is a hotbed for pedestrian accidents. A mapping project by the Long Beach Post sheds light on the severity of danger that faces pedestrians on the streets of Long Beach each and every day. The Post mapped collisions were reported to the Long Beach Police Department from January 1, 2013, through July 1, 2018. There were a total of 1,982 pedestrian-involved collisions during that time.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
There are more than 14,000 pedestrian accidents in California each year. In 2017, 867 of those accidents resulted in fatalities. In the case mentioned above, DUI was an obvious factor. Aggressive driving, speeding, distracted driving, adverse weather conditions, improper turning, and poor driving visibility can all contribute to injurious or even deadly pedestrian accidents.
Pedestrian Accident Fault
In most cases, the driver of a passenger vehicle is to blame for pedestrian accidents, but they sometimes shoulder the blame with the city. The city can be held to account for pedestrian injuries or deaths if the city has control over the intersection where the accident occurred or if the city is responsible for maintaining or inspecting the intersection, provided that a dangerous condition existed and the condition was the reason the accident occurred. It must also be shown that the officials knew of the dangerous condition and failed to take action to correct it.
Injured We Can Help
If you or someone you love was injured or killed in a pedestrian-related collision, JML Law wants to help. Our Long Beach pedestrian accident lawyer understands the nuances required to identify the at-fault party in your case and hold them accountable for your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and any other damages to which you are entitled under the law. Give JML Law a call at 818-610-8800 to discuss your particular case and determine the best course of action moving forward. Our compassionate, expert team is ready to help.
