20-Year-Old Charlotte, North Carolina Pedestrian Struck by Alleged Drunk Driver Dies from Her Injuries
Yesterday, mourners gathered on north Tyron Street to grieve over Shalenia Smith, who sustained serious injuries in a Charlotte, North Carolina pedestrian accident on Friday night. She died on Sunday.
Karen Owens, Smith’s mother, says her daughter and friend were crossing the street after a visit to Walmart when a car driven by 28-year-old Christopher Breeding struck her. He claims that the North Carolina pedestrian accident victim ran in front of his vehicle and he was unable to stop. He also says it was difficult to see the women that night because they were wearing dark clothing.
Breeding was arrested and charged with DWI. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says that more charges may be filed against him.
Smith leaves behind her mother and three siblings.
North Carolina Pedestrian Deaths
Losing someone you care about in a North Carolina pedestrian accident or car crash is tragic. All of a sudden, your life is irrevocably changed while the life of the person you love has been cut short for one of the worst reasons—because someone was reckless or careless or negligent. Drunk driving, speeding, texting while driving, talking on the phone will driving, failure to obey traffic signals, and driving under the influence of drugs are some reasons why pedestrian accidents happen.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding a Charlotte, North Carolina motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, funeral or cremation services, lost wages, loss of future wages, loss of benefits, punitive damages, mental trauma, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of inheritance, and other damages.
Vigil honors woman, 20, killed by car, Charlotte Observer, January 19, 2010
Woman hit by DWI suspect dies from injuries, WBTV, January 19, 2010
Related Web Resources:
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Pedestrians, 2008 Traffic Safety Facts, NHTSA (PDF)
