Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Arkansas Brings Death Toll to 91 for the Year

April 15, 2018 | Paul Pfeifer

A deadly pedestrian accident in Arkansas claimed the life of a 53-year-old on Sunday, April 1^st. The victim was crossing the street in Prescott when he was struck by a northbound Chevy pickup truck. EMS crews arrived within minutes of the car crash and rushed the victim to a hospital in Little Rock, but the man succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Unfortunately that’s too often the case. When a relatively unprotected person is struck by a large vehicle such as a pickup truck, a box truck, or even a semi rig, the outcome is almost never good. Even when the victims survive, there are often extensive injuries, mountainous medical expenses, and life-long aftereffects.

This latest fatal pedestrian accident in Arkansas brings the total number of people killed in traffic accidents in the state to 91 just this year. That puts Arkansas on track for a near-record-breaking year for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians killed on our streets and highways. And, unfortunately, accidents like this are all too common.

Little Rock Car Accident at Dangerous Intersection Leaves Pedestrian Dead

February 20, 2018 | Paul Pfeifer

Pedestrian Accident in Arkansas Refocuses Attention on Dangerous Downtown Street

A 47-year-old woman was killed in Arkansas earlier this month while she was waiting to cross the street at a busy intersection in Little Rock. The fatal pedestrian accident in Little Rock happened at around 11 on the morning of February 5^th at the intersection of West 6^th Street and Broadway. Two cars collided in the intersection. The force of the impact drove both cars off the street and onto the sidewalk. The victim was struck while waiting at curbside for the crosswalk light to change.

Little Rock Police are investigating the crash and have asked eye-witnesses to come forward. There have been no citations issued pending the results of that investigation but it appears as if at least one of the drivers ignored the traffic signal and entered the intersection while they faced a red light.

In this particular car accident in Little Rock, the force of the crash was so great that the victim was knocked almost 80 feet from the point of impact. That demonstrates that at least one of the vehicles was likely travelling at an unsafe speed at the time of the crash. Continue reading ›

Children at Highest Risk for Pedestrian Accidents in Arkansas

January 29, 2018 | Paul Pfeifer

Pedestrian Accident in Fort Smith Sends Teenager to Hospital

A terrifying pedestrian accident in Fort Smith, Arkansas recently highlighted the increased danger automobiles pose to children. Just last week a high school student was struck and injured by a reckless driver while crossing the street in a marked crosswalk in Fort Smith. The student was just blocks from school when a vehicle, operated by a 35-year old man, plowed into him. The injured boy was rushed to a Fort Smith hospital and then flown to Little Rock for more extensive treatment.

The man behind the wheel was suspected of operating an automobile while under the influence. He was arrested and charged with second degree battery (though additional charges could be pending).

As terrible as this latest pedestrian accident in Arkansas is, it’s a scenario that plays out all too often in our area. No matter how many times we tell our children to be careful, look both ways, wait until cars stop before crossing the street, traffic crimes like this continue to happen, through no fault of our own.

Why Kids Are Too Often Victims of Pedestrian Accidents

Statistics show that children and elderly individuals share the highest risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident in Arkansas. Indeed, that age-related risk factor remains true all across America and in other parts of the world. But why are children so often the victims in automobile crashes?

Researchers at The University of London discovered that young children actually lack the mental faculties to perceive the danger of oncoming cars. Their findings suggest that a developing mind still hasn’t grasped the necessary mathematical capacity to perceive spatial relations in an accurate fashion. When children see an oncoming car, they simply don’t realize that it will collide with them by the time they’re its path. Continue reading ›