Two pedestrians were killed along Alligator Alley

Two pedestrians were killed Sunday night on Alligator Alley while they were walking to get help after their car ran out of gas.

The accident happened about 10 p.m. on I-75 (Alligator Alley) near mile marker 63. They were attempting to cross the interstate near a rest area when they were hit by a 2001 Toyota 4 Runner. The driver of the SUV was unable to avoid the pedestrians. They died on the scene. Read more.

It’s unfortunate that the two probably were not aware there are people who provide assistance to motorists who run out of gas or have car trouble on the interstate. Road Rangers are just a phone call away. You can reach them by dialing *347 from your cell phone.

There were probably several factors at play in this situation. Since it was about 10 p.m. it would have been dark. It’s not known if they were wearing light or dark clothing but with as fast as the traffic travels — at least 70 mph — it still might have been difficult to avoid them. It’s hard to know if they just did not realize how fast the vehicle was traveling or what happened.

Here are some helpful safety tips to follow from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center:

Be Safe and Be Seen: Make yourself visible to drivers

• Wear bright/light colored clothing and reflective materials.
• Carry a flashlight when walking at night.
• Cross the street in a well-lit area at night.
• Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars, or other obstacles before crossing so drivers can see you.

Be Smart and Alert: Avoid dangerous behaviors

• Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
• Stay sober; walking while impaired increases your chance of being struck.
• Don’t assume vehicles will stop. Make eye contact with drivers, don’t just look at the vehicle. If a driver is on a cell phone, he or she may not be paying enough attention to drive safely.
• Don’t rely solely on pedestrian signals. Look before you cross the road.
• Be alert to engine noise or backup lights on cars when in parking lots and near on-street parking spaces.

Be Careful at Crossings: Look before you step

• Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections, if possible.
• Obey traffic signals such as WALK/DON’T WALK signs.
• Look left, right, and left again before crossing a street.
• Watch for turning vehicles. Make sure the driver sees you and will stop for you.
• Look across ALL lanes you must cross and visually clear each lane before proceeding. Even if one motorist stops, do not presume drivers in other lanes can see you and will stop for you.
• Don’t wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while crossing.

At Bernardo Injury Law, we have seen first hand how pedestrian injuries and fatalities can impact victims and their families. If we can help you, contact us at (239) 332-3000 or toll free at 888-428-8943, email us at gethelp@injuryinfo.org. You can learn more about pedestrian injuries on our website at injuryinfo.org and see some of our case results.