McAllen police probe fatal auto-pedestrian crash
by Benjamin Treviño | October 13th, 2022 | Fatal Crash, Pedestrian Accident
MCALLEN – The McAllen Police Department is investigating a fatal auto-pedestrian crash that claimed the life of a 48-year-old man.
According to a news release, the incident happened at approximately 9:16 p.m. October 12 in the 200 block of west Expressway 83. Police identified the victim as Russell Heath Cortez, whose last known address was in McAllen.
The news release offered few details on how the incident happened, stating only that, “The pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and is deceased. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene.”
More details might emerge later, as the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Nighttime pedestrian safety tips
The J. Gonzalez Law Firm believes it’s essential for everyone to understand the rules of pedestrian safety. It’s especially important at night, because walking on sidewalks and crossing streets when it’s dark can present a unique set of challenges.
Here’s a look at some of the most effective ways to protect yourself while walking outdoors after the sun goes down.
Avoid walking in poorly-lit areas by restricting your walk to well-lit areas with bright streetlamps as much as possible. Do not take shortcuts through dark alleys and side streets.
Wear bright clothing that drivers will be able to see. Reflectors on your shoes or clothing can be extra helpful to stand out at night.
Carry a flashlight or some other light source with you. Cell phone flashlights are ok in a pinch, but a flashlight with more lumens would be more effective for lighting the path in front of you.
Walk on sidewalks whenever possible. City ordinances often require pedestrians to use sidewalks if they are available. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the shoulder as far away from the roadway as possible.
Most local laws state that you should walk on the left, facing traffic, if you somehow find yourself on a road with no sidewalk and no shoulder.
Don’t scroll on your cell phone as you walk. A pedestrian staring at their phone can easily step off the sidewalk, veer outside a crosswalk, or find themselves stepping into oncoming traffic.
Obey all traffic signals unless a police officer is directing traffic and instructs you to do otherwise.
If possible, walk with a group of people, or at least one other person. Walking with someone else makes you more visible to drivers, and can also help protect you from danger and crime.
Always assume that motorists cannot see you, and wait an extra few seconds to make sure the driver will stop before you proceed into an intersection. Those few extra seconds could save your life.
Accidents will still happen
Even when you’re as cautious as possible, you can still find yourself the victim of an auto-pedestrian accident due to driver negligence. If that should ever be the case, we urge you to call the J. Gonzalez Law Firm for expert representation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will fight to ensure you get the maximum compensation you legally deserve. Call us today at 1-800-CAR-CRASH.
