Hit-and-Run Driver Tragically Kills Pedestrian on Alabama/Florida Border

MT. VERNON, AL- Mynbc15.com writes that a hit-and-run driver struck and killed a pedestrian early in the morning this week on US 43 close to Steel Drive. The incident reportedly took place in the southbound lanes.*

State troopers are now working to identify the driver who was involved in the deadly crash. Investigators are requesting that anyone with information contact the state police. 

An overturned truck is also being investigated. The incident took place on the border in Baldwin County in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10. Drivers traveling from Alabama into Florida were told to find alternate routes until the crash scene has been cleared. Emergency crews were on site, and drivers were being asked to use caution if passing through the area. 

When it comes to hit-and-run crashes, the people most at risk are pedestrians and cyclists. Studies indicate that 65-percent of those killed by hit-and-run drivers were either walking or riding bikes at the time of their deaths. About twenty percent of pedestrians killed die in hit-and-run crashes. Experts suspect that this is largely the result of drivers being able to flee the scene after a crash. Hitting a pedestrian often leaves vehicles drivable. When cars collide with other cars in crashes that are severe enough to cause fatalities, fleeing might not be a viable option. 

Hit-and-runs are increasing annually by about 7.2 percent nationally, which is a faster rise than overall traffic fatalities. Florida is one of the worst states for these tragic crashes. Data reported by the AAA found that the Sunshine State comes in third place in terms of deadly hit-and-run crashes.  Alabama is lower on the list in sixteenth place. 

Accident News is a safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com - click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or a family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com.

Sources:

https://mynbc15.com/news/local/alabama-state-troopers-work-mt-vernon-and-alfl-line-crashes

https://www.cars.com/articles/hit-and-run-deaths-are-way-up-how-dangerous-is-your-state-1420699813513/