You might often see utility trucks in your neighborhood. They provide power and get you back online when San Diego has an outage. These big trucks can do a lot of good, but when handled irresponsibly, they can also cause a pedestrian accident. One local family is now grieving as a result of a devastating incident involving a utility truck.
A San Diego woman was walking her 5-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old neighbor one recent morning. The trio was just a block shy of their destination – the kids’ elementary school – when a utility truck from San Diego Gas & Electric struck them. The mother of the 4-year-old said she heard screaming outside and saw neighbors working to pull the truck off the woman.
As a result of the accident, the woman died from her injuries and the two children were hospitalized. The 5-year-old girl suffered a fractured pelvis and had damage to her liver. The 4-year-old was in the hospital due to injuries to her chest and leg.
The family of the woman who died are left confused as to how the driver did not see the three people crossing the street. The utility company expressed their condolences and noted that they are cooperating with local law enforcement for the investigation. Earlier this year, another truck driver for the company was off-duty and struck and killed a pedestrian. Those involved should hire an attorney immediately in the event they can file a personal injury lawsuit. While money cannot bring the woman back or heal the children, it can help pay for medical expenses and other damages.
Source: NBC San Diego, “SDG&E Truck Crash Involving Pedestrians Kills 1: Police,” R. Stickney, Rory Devine and Matt Rascon, Jan. 22, 2014
