Fatal Orange County Bicycle Accident Leads to Additional Pedestrian Safety Measures

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on August 12, 2019

In April, a 10-year-old child was struck and killed by a car while on his way home from school. According to the reports that were released shortly after the fatal bicycle accident, the young boy was on his bike and riding across the street at the intersection of Landstar Boulevard and Wetherbee Road when a driver who was not paying attention to their surroundings struck the child with their car. After colliding with the 10-year-old, the driver sped away from the area.

During the following days, an investigation into the incident began. As well as attempting to locate the driver of the car, officials within Orange County – including many from Orange County Public Schools – carefully examined the intersection and spoke to many parents about the area in order to assess whether or not the area contained enough pedestrian safety features. Early in August, parents of children who need to walk through the area were pleased to discover that their voices had been heard. Although it is a small consolation to those who have already lost a child, the hope is that these new features will dramatically increase pedestrian safety in the area.

Included in the updated safety features are things such as signs instructing turning vehicles to yield to pedestrians as well as a second crossing guard. Additionally, the updated school crossing zone will include more elements to ensure that drivers passing through the area know to drive far more slowly and carefully than normal. Updated paint on the road itself will also provide drivers of semi trucks with more room to navigate along the roadway without being forced to drive over curbs and sidewalks.

Sadly, the driver responsible for the 10-year-old’s death in April has yet to be apprehended. Police within Orange County remain on the case as they try and bring some sort of closure to the family affected by the sudden death of their child, but it is true that in cases such as these there is often very little that the police investigation can do unless someone steps forward to provide essential information to the police regarding the whereabouts and identity of the suspect.

Sources:

• Changes made after boy was hit, killed leaving Wetherbee Elementary School

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.