Here is the Courier-Journal story.

Pedestrian fatalities on rise in Louisville

The number of pedestrian fatalities in Louisville this year is on pace to be one of the highest since merger in 2003 — despite a city campaign stressing road safety.

Through Wednesday, 15 pedestrians have been killed this year, compared to 10 in all of 2009. The numbers include bicyclists and people struck while standing outside broken-down vehicles along the road.

The highest number of pedestrian deaths since merger came in 2008, when there were 27 deaths — 24 pedestrians and three bicyclists.

Police and safety officials say they’ve not identified any single reason for the increased number of deaths this year over last.

The increased number of deaths by pedestrians continues in spite of a city wide program to help prevent them.

See the following story this summer from WLKY.com:  City Pushes For Safety After 3 Pedestrian Deaths, Mayor, Police Chief Share Personal Stories Of Safety Issues

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Three recent pedestrian deaths on Louisville streets are eye opening reality checks on what can happen when motorists, cyclists and pedestrians don’t follow the rules of the road.The city unveiled a new phase of an ongoing marketing campaign to reduce the deadly numbers on Friday. The city launched the Street Sense campaign last summer and the new phase unveiled Friday morning has new ads and new messages targeting unsafe behavior. City officials said the drivers are not always at fault.

One accident involved a rescue near the intersection of Breckenridge Lane and Sudbury Lane, a MetroSafe Communications supervisor said.

A black truck going south on Breckinridge Lane took a curb too fast and sideswiped a KIA at around 2:45 p.m. on Friday, September 24, 2010, said Louisville Metro Police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley.

The impact caused the truck to turn sideways and it was T-boned by a Lexus SUV, Smiley said.

The driver of the truck had to be rescued and was taken to University Hospital in critical condition. Police believe he was driving under the influence of alcohol, but he has not been charged, Smiley said.

According to the Courier-Journal story, 39 year-old Tina Christie of Fort Knox was struck and killed Monday night after she pulled her van off the highway and got out of her van.  Although it is reported that the other driver did not see her and that no charges are expected to be filed, the family should still take the police report to the Fort Knox Legal Assistance Office for a JAG review to discuss their options or contact a personal injury attorney.   Just because there are no criminal charges does not mean there is no civil liability since Kentucky has comparative negligence.   If for no other reason, a legal review of options should assist survivors in reaching some form of closure and answer lingering questions.

Here is the Courier Journal story:

A woman who was killed Monday night after being struck by a van in the 12000 block of Dixie Highway in southwest Jefferson County has been identified as 39-year-old Tina R. Christie of Fort Knox.

Christie was struck after she pulled her southbound van off the road and then exited the vehicle for an unknown reason.

The driver of another southbound van apparently did not see her and struck her, said Dwight Mitchell, a Louisville Metro Police spokesman.

Christie was pronounced dead at the scene about 10:40 p.m. and died from multiple blunt force injuries, said Sam Weakley, a Jefferson County deputy coroner.

Weakley said Christie and her husband had just relocated to Fort Knox from Greenville, S.C.

There were three children inside Christie’s van and no charges are expected to be filed against the driver of the other van, police said.

The woman driving the Mirage was taken to University Hospital.

Anytime a car accident results in a death, it is imperative to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence and to ensure your rights are protected. This information is provided by Louisville, Kentucky attorney Finis Price. Please feel free to contact me directly for if you have any questions or would like more information.

Any time students are involved in a motor vehicle collision in a school bus there is cause for concern. Many issues arise outside of the normal questions that need to be asked in a normal car accident. Was the school bus driver properly trained? Was the school bus in proper working order? Is there any fault on the part of the school bus driver for causing the collision or becoming distracted? Are there any potential product defects with the school bus? Who will pay for the injured passenger’s medical bills?

These are but a few of the questions which need to be answered and considered in cases such as this incident in Lee County – and this is why anyone injured in such a collision needs an experienced attorney on their side.

Indiana State Police trooper Andy Wandersee arrived along with Wayne County deputies to find the driver of a red Ford Ranger had fled the scene. The pickup, heading the wrong direction, had struck two vehicles nearly head-on with the debris damaging a third vehicle, a tractor-trailer, police said.

The driver of the pickup was located a short time later, hiding behind the Indiana State Police Scale House at the 148-mile marker westbound. Arrested was Archie Napier, 42, of New Castle.

He and a second driver, whose identity was not available from police, were taken to Reid Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Napier was treated and released from Reid before being booked into the Wayne County Jail at about 4:45 a.m. Friday.

Napier is charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury, a Class D felony; operating while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury, a Class D felony; operating while intoxicated with a blood-alcohol content of .15 percent or higher, a Class A misdemeanor; reckless driving, a Class B misdemeanor; and operating while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor.

Following the wreck, Warfield continued to drive and was found a short time later by Guthrie Police, the report said. Swarey was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center were he died from his injuries, the release said. Warfied was charged with leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid or assistance, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs 1st offense aggravating circumstances, driving DUI suspended license 2nd offense aggravating circumstance and no insurance.

Though police are investigating the collision, it is imperative to hire an attorney quickly who can have an experienced accident reconstructionist secure critical evidence which may become invaluable in the future.