Burbank, CA — A local woman died on Monday (November 3, 2014) after an accident in Burbank with a deliver van. Police said Violeta Hwang, 76, was killed when she was hit by a delivery van as she tried to cross the street.
The site of the accident was given as Victory Boulevard @ Hollywood Way. At about 7:30 a.m. on Monday morning, Hwang was trying to cross Victory Boulevard when a delivery van made a right-hand turn from Hollywood to Victory Boulevard.
Not seeing Hwang in time, the delivery van crashed into her and left her with critical injuries. Paramedics were called to the scene and Hwang was taken to a hospital, where she eventually passed away.
The driver of the delivery van wasn’t identified and the local police in Burbank are still investigating to figure out what really happened and who was at fault.
Scene of the Accident
Commentary:
I’ve said this a few times concerning pedestrian accidents, but I don’t think that a driver having a green light is a very good excuse for hitting a pedestrian. Technically, pedestrians really have the right of way when crossing the road. If this woman was in a crosswalk with a “cross now” sign flashing, then I would say she had the right of way.
However, if the driver of the delivery van technically had the right of way, that changes things. Or does it? If you’re making a right or left turn onto another road, you should always look to see if anyone is crossing the road. Like I said earlier, just because you technically have the right of way doesn’t mean you have a “license to kill.” I hope I’m not sounding too accusatory here, but I really don’t like it when I here people immediately start to blame the pedestrian in these situations without first getting all the details and facts.
— Grossman Law Offices
