Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Claymont – The Delaware State Police are investigating a crash in which a pedestrian was struck early Friday evening.

The incident occurred around 9:51 p.m. Friday August 11, 2017 at a 22-year-old Chester, Pennsylvania woman was operating a 2010 Mazda sedan southbound on Philadelphia Pike (US13) approaching Harvey Road.  The Mazda was initially in the center through lane and moved into the left turn lane when she struck a 48-year-old Claymont man standing in the middle of the turn lane. The male was forced up into the windshield of the car before falling to the ground upon the vehicle coming to an immediate stop.

The 48-year-old man, whose name is being withheld pending family notifications, was transported by EMS to Christiana Medical Center where he was admitted in critical condition.  He was cited by troopers for Failure to Cross at a Marked Crosswalk and Failure to Carry a Light on a Public Roadway.

The 22-year-old female driver was uninjured in the collision.

“Troopers remind pedestrians to use caution and safety when walking on or near roadways. If you must cross a roadway utilize appropriate cross walks and make sure to look left, then right, then left again before proceeding.  When walking near a roadway always make yourself visible to drivers by wearing bright/light colored clothing and reflective materials.  Pedestrians that are walking at night must carry a flashlight for added safety.”

Tips for pedestrians:

• Wear reflective clothing, a blinking light or use your cell phone’s flashlight.
• Use a crosswalk.
• Be focused. Be aware of your surroundings and not distracted with your cell phone.
• Walk on the sidewalk when available, not the shoulder. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
• Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach you to make sure you are seen.
• Never walk under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Tips for drivers:

• Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. Safety is a shared responsibility.
• Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or in bad weather.
• Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that you can’t see.
• Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Pedestrian safety information to educate and share can be found at http://www.ohs.delaware.gov/pedestrian.shtml. For more information on pedestrian safety visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/Pedestrians.

Released: 081217 0755

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