RSSOrlando Pedestrian Killed While Crossing University Boulevard
Just before 10:00 at night this past Friday, Alexandria Clark, a 19-year-old woman from Orlando, was on foot by University Boulevard and Alafaya Trail when she decided to attempt to cross University Boulevard. According to the Florida Highway Patrol’s spokesperson, Sg. Kim Montes, Clark decided to turn off of the sidewalk and cross the road at a point where no crosswalk is located, a plan that should always be met with skepticism and, ultimately, rejection. But Clark, who it seems was alone at the time of the incident and therefore not in the company of a anyone who could suggest waiting to cross the usually busy road until reaching an accessible crosswalk, decided that the circumstances were safe enough for her to cross the street.
At the same time as Clark made her off of the side of the road and onto the asphalt, an unnamed 21-year-old man was driving by. For reasons that are not currently clear, the 21-year-old struck Clark with his car.
When the Orange County Fire Rescue team first arrived at the scene, they did not notice the 21-year-old or his car nearby and therefore reported on the crash as though it were a hit and run. When the Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrived, they did a more thorough job of searching the immediate area while the Orange County Fire Rescue continued to try and assist the badly injured Clark. Troopers discovered that, rather than leaving the scene, the 21-year-old and his vehicle were instead close by, waiting to speak to the authorities about what happened. He was not injured.
Clark was rushed by the Orange County Fire Rescue squad to Florida Hospital East. When she arrived, medical personnel at the hospital were unable to assist her despite their best efforts. Clark was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
An investigation into the circumstances around the accident is underway as authorities with the Florida Highway Patrol look into what exactly happened to cause the young woman to decide on crossing the street at this precise time and why the 21-year-old driver failed to see her.
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.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.