Teen Killed in Winston-Salem Pedestrian Accident While Waiting for Bus
Stefan Jalen Fairfax, 17, died on Wednesday when he was hit by an SUV in a Winston-Salem car accident. The teenager was waiting for the city bus on North Cherry Street when the vehicle drove off the road and hit him. Fairfax was pronounced dead at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
It is not yet known whether charges will be filed against Omar Joseph Daniel Scott, the 27-year-old SUV driver. MyFox8, however, says that investigators’ preliminary findings show that Scott may have been distracted at the time of the North Carolina car accident. The Winston-Salem Journal says that Fairfax’s mother Sandra wants more answers.
Our Winston-Salem injury lawyers know how hard it can be to lose someone you love during a North Carolina traffic crash—especially when the accident occurs during the holidays. Now, more than ever, when the road and weather conditions and visibility are not ideal conditions for driving, motorists must be extra vigilant to avoid becoming involved in a collision. For example, distracted driving, which sounds like a harmless enough activity, can prove fatal when the driver fails to pay attention to the road for even just a few seconds for any reason.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving was the cause of death for almost 5,500 people in 2009. Another 500,000 suffered injuries. Often, when we hear about distracted driving, talking on a cell phone or texting while driving come to mind. While these two habits definitely rank high on the list of dangerous distracted driving activities, just looking down for a few seconds to fiddle with an iPod or open up a bag of chips can prove fatal if the driver ends up hitting another vehicle or a pedestrian.
Other Distracted Driving Activities:
• Applying makeup
• Removing nail polish
• Watching a movie
• Surfing the Internet
• Changing clothing
• Eating or drinking
• Playing with a pet
• Reading a book or newspaper
• Becoming engrossed in a conversation
• Changing songs on an MP3 player
It is important that you know that there are options available to you for holding any responsible parties liable.
Teen Hit by SUV, Killed While Waiting for City Bus, MyFox8, December 30, 2010
Victim’s mother wants driver charged in son’s death, Winston-Salem Journal, December 31, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Distracted Driving, Distraction.gov
Distracted Driving, NHTSA
