A 57-year-old Rohnert Park man was critically injured when he was struck in a marked crosswalk near the Larkfield Shopping Center, authorities have reported. The Sonoma County pedestrian accident occurred shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 18th. The victim was walking eastbound across Old Redwood Highway when he was truck by a red Cadillac sedan. The man, identified as Thomas Wandrey, made a large depression the Cadillac's windshield, and then was thrown 75 feet north of the crosswalk. He remained conscious at the scene but was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with very serious injuries.
A Dangerous Intersection?
The driver of the Cadillac, an 85-year-old Hidden Valley Resident, told CHP officers he did not see the victim in time to stop. It is not known how fast he was driving. According to an article in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, the crosswalk where the accident occurred is "described by neighbors as a treacherous path long in need of a signal light." According to the newspaper account of the accident, witnesses, neighbors and members of the nearby Rincon Valley Fire Station said "motorists routinely exceed the posted 35 mph speed limit and often honk or yell at pedestrians in the crosswalk as if they didn't belong there."
Fault & Liability Issues
The family of the man critically injured in this Santa Rosa pedestrian accident would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can help the injured man protect his rights and recover compensation for the very serious injuries he sustained in this accident. This starts with a thorough review the police report, gathering of witness statements, and further review of other incidents at the same location. Even if the driver is not cited for the pedestrian accident or charged for negligent driving, he may still be held liable and financially accountable in a civil claim.
Source: Santa Rosa Press Democrat
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