Willow Grove Pedestrian Killed in Hit-and-Run
A teenager has been charged in hit and run collision that killed an 81-year-old pedestrian Zitto Egitto of Willow Grove. According to the article in The Philadelphia Daily News, the 17-year-old was driving almost 80 mph in a 35-mph zone and trying a technique known as “drifting.”
Elderly pedestrians are very likely to be killed if struck by a car. Statistics show that pedestrians aged 75 and over represent a sizable portion of pedestrian deaths. In 2008, about 26 people in that age range died and bout 170 were injured in pedestrian accidents. The fatality rate for pedestrians age 65 and older was 2.07 per 100,000.
Drivers between the ages of 16 and 21 are the least experienced drivers and they are also prone to over zealous driving performance, perhaps due to their youth and peer pressure. Recently, there are news reports of teenagers trying the “drifting” maneuver, in which the driver pulls on the emergency brake and turns the wheel to slide the car sideways.
Because of the negligence of this driver, an innocent pedestrian lost her life. “Drifting” is just one of many forms of reckless driving, including traveling over the posted speed limits.
Mr Egitto’s family should contact a Pennsylvania pedestrian accident attorney who will look into the accident. Cherry Fieger & Marciano can help families who have lost loved ones bring negligent drivers to justice for pedestrian accidents and they offer a free consultation to anyone with questions about whether that accident could result in a valid lawsuit.
