An accident in Las Cruces involving two separate vehicles has resulted in the death of a young woman. Members of the city government are calling for changes to be made to the intersection to prevent future such accidents. Fatal pedestrian accident on Del Rey Boulevard The recent local accident occurred on the 4200 block
An accident in Las Cruces involving two separate vehicles has resulted in the death of a young woman. Members of the city government are calling for changes to be made to the intersection to prevent future such accidents.
Fatal pedestrian accident on Del Rey Boulevard
The recent local accident occurred on the 4200 block of Del Rey Boulevard, a busy stretch of the road that many locals have described as dangerous to pedestrians. A 19-year-old woman and student at New Mexico State University was crossing the street at about an hour after sunset when she was struck by a Las Cruces city bus traveling north on Del Rey Boulevard. The woman collided with the bottom left corner of the bus, which forced the victim into the opposing lane of traffic. A Buick Century headed south on Del Rey then struck the young woman. She was transported to MountainView Regional Medical Center, where she ultimately succumbed to her injuries. The accident remains under investigation. The bus driver has been placed on administrative leave as authorities investigate the accident and determine whether the driver was negligent or reckless in causing the accident.
Municipalities must plan streets with pedestrian safety in mind
As law enforcement investigates the incident, some city officials are asking whether the layout of Del Rey Boulevard in the area of the accident is partly to blame. The section of street lacks street lights or sidewalks, despite being home to a large call center which many employees must enter and exit on foot. Additionally, many of the call center’s employees must walk to a bus stop that is across the street from the call center, but no signal or protected crosswalk exists to prevent them from getting hurt while doing so. With no signal, crosswalk, or street lighting, these pedestrians can be difficult for drivers to see. When unsafe streets or poor intersection design result in injuries to drivers or pedestrians, developers and city governments may bear financial liability to accident victims for failing to provide adequate safety protections for roadway users.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a New Mexico pedestrian accident, find out if you’re entitled to money damages for your injuries by contacting the knowledgeable and seasoned Las Cruces personal injury attorney Samuel L. Kane for a free consultation on your case, at 575-541-3004.
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