Pedestrian hit by a truck, killed in East Naples

A pedestrian hit by a truck Saturday evening in East Naples died at the scene of the crash. The pedestrian had been drinking and the driver of the truck was driving with an expired license, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Read the naplesnews.com story on the crash.

It’s not known why the 45-year-old man was walking east in the eastbound lane of U.S. 41. He had been drinking, according to reports. Perhaps he was trying to be safe by walking home rather than driving. The accident is still under investigation.

There are some steps pedestrians can take to help reduce the change of injuries and fatalities. It is important to walk on the shoulder or next to the roadway whenever possible. The further you are away from traffic, the less likely you are to be hit. It’s also important to walk facing traffic so you can see oncoming vehicles. Some other safety tips include wearing light colored clothing and carrying a flashlight.

For drivers, it’s important to watch for pedestrians and cyclists along the side of the road or even in the roadway. Pedestrians of cyclists could be on either side of the road going either direction. Although there are rules pedestrians and cyclists should follow, drivers should expect the unexpected. It is also important that drivers make sure to have a valid driver’s license and insurance.

At Bernardo Injury Law, we have handled far too many cases involving pedestrians. We have seen how these tragedies can impact 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.