Anyone who says that traffic accidents only happen to other people would do well to reconsider that statement. Even if you don’t drive a car, SUV, minivan or commercial truck, as a pedestrian or bicyclist you too could end up being caught in a potentially fatal traffic accident. As Maryland personal injury lawyers, I and my staff are well versed in the law and we understand the possible causes of severe or deadly automobile, trucking or pedestrian collisions.
A sad story that illustrates my point involves a young up and coming political candidate who met an untimely end following a car crash on the streets of Largo, MD. According to news articles, 30-year-old Natasha Pettigrew, Maryland Green Party candidate for the United States Senate, was on her bicycle training for a triathlon when she was struck by a sport utility vehicle around 5:30am on a Sunday morning.
The accident, according to Maryland State Police, happened on Route 202 at the intersection of Campus Way when the cyclist was hit by a passing SUV. Police said the SUV’s driver, 40-year-old Christy R. Littleford, called from her home about an hour after the crash stating that she thought she may have hit a deer but realized it wasn’t an animal after she arrived home and saw Pettigrew’s bicycle trapped underneath her vehicle.
After receiving the call, MSP arrived at the scene, probably with other emergency responders, after which Pettigrew was transported to Prince George’s Hospital Center. Unfortunately, the woman could not be saved and she died of critical injuries later the next day.
At the time of the article, police investigators were still piecing together the accident and had not yet determined if Pettigrew had reflective clothing on or had lights working on her bike during that pre-dawn ride. No charges had yet been filed against the driver, though Police reports showed that alcohol or drugs did not appear to be a factor in the crash.
Md. Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate dies, WashingtonPost.com, September 22, 2010