Local News
14-year-old Marquan Smith is reportedly recovering after he and his sister were struck and injured by a car on their way to school Friday morning, February 27, 2015.
According to WTOC News, 17-year-old Myesha Smith and her brother, Marquan, were walking to school near the intersection of Birchfield Drive and Montgomery Street, when they were struck by a car. Ms. Smith apparently suffered minor injuries in the crash, but her brother was pinned beneath the vehicle. Per media reports, Ms. Smith was able to prevent the driver from backing up and further injuring her little brother. She was apparently able to get help from a group of bystanders, including a few soldiers, who lifted the car off of Marquan Smith. “I couldn’t do it myself,” the brave teen told media.
Miraculously, Marquan Smith is now recovering from injuries at the hospital, per media reports. Monica Farrington, the victims’ mother, told media she is grateful to those who helped her children. “When I say God truly sends angels, He sent those angels to save my son. He did, and I would love to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Our Legal Take
Advocates for pedestrian rights at The Murray Law Firm are questioning whether distraction, speed, or a lack of roadway safety measures may have been factors in the terrifying crash.
How fast was the vehicle traveling at the time of the accident? Did excessive speed prevent the driver from stopping or swerving for the child pedestrians in time?
Did the driver fail to notice the children walking alongside the road? Do cellphone records and traffic surveillance footage indicate whether the driver was texting or otherwise distracted as he approached the children?
Photographs of the scene indicate an apparent lack of pedestrian safety measures, such as crosswalks, sidewalks and pedestrian lanes. What efforts are being made by local officials to improve pedestrian safety for families in this neighborhood? Will a crossing guard or sidewalk be added to assist children walking along this roadway?
As the details of this horrific accident continue to emerge, and should the driver be found at fault for distracted driving or speeding, the family of these young victims may elect to pursue a legal action against the driver’s insurance carrier. Claims of this magnitude will call on local officials to reevaluate pedestrian safety roadway measures in the area and also serve as a much-needed reminder for local drivers to stay alert and avoid distractions, particularly near young pedestrians.
The Murray Law Firm works tirelessly in representing victims of pedestrian accidents, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if desired. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us at 912.385.9690. Consultations are free and confidential.
