Kenneth Bates Arrested after Fatal Pedestrian DUI Crash on Visalia Giddings Street in Visalia
Jennifer Pinkham Killed; Kenneth Bates Arrested after Visalia Pedestrian Accident on Visalia Giddings Street
Visalia, California (August 17, 2019) – 50-year-old Kenneth Bates of Visalia has been arrested after a fatal pedestrian collision on Wednesday afternoon in Visalia, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The deadly crash happened at around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, August 14, on Giddings Street, north of Vasser Avenue.
As per the CHP officials, 20-year-old Jennifer Pinkham of Visalia was crossing South Giddings Street mid-block when she was struck by a northbound Ford F-150 operated by Bates.
Kenneth Bates Arrested for DUI after Visalia Pedestrian Accident
Firefighters along with paramedics found Pinkham lying motionless in the roadway with severe injuries due to the crash. Pinkham died as she was being taken to Kaweah Delta Medical Center.
Authorities confirmed that Bates was under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of the crash. He was booked into Tulare County Pretrial Facility on suspicion of driving under the influence causing great bodily injury or death.
Our sincere sympathies go to the family and friends of the person killed in the crash. We wish them courage during these trying moments of losing their loved one.
Many pedestrians are hurt and several others killed in accidents in California every year. The causes of many of these pedestrian accidents include distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, reckless driving, bad weather, wrong-way driving and failure to observe traffic laws. It is evident that negligence on the part of motorists is the leading cause of these accidents.
Pedestrian laws require drivers to control their speeds and stop to allow pedestrians to cross the roads whether in marked or unmarked crossing areas. The authorities are still investigating to find out if the victim was in a safe zone along the road when the accident occurred.
Upon conclusion of the examination of the crash scene photos, vehicle condition, and other factors including recklessness, intoxication, and distracted driving, the victim’s family or loved ones may have a right to file a case and get compensation for their loss.
If you have lost someone you love in a fatal car accident, we highly recommend that you seek legal guidance and fight for justice. At Pacific Attorney Group, we go to a great length to ensure that an insurance company follows the law and offers full compensation for your loss. Call our firm today, and we will help you get justice for your loved one.
If you are a family member of the person killed and would like to get a free copy of the accident report, please contact the Pacific Attorney Group. Please Click to call: 1-800-358-9617
What You Need to Know about Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are always the most vulnerable segment of traffic. Data collected by The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) indicates that about 5000 pedestrians are killed in accidents and over 70000 injured annually. Although motorists shoulder most of the blame for these types of accidents, pedestrians are sometimes liable for these accidents.
In the event of an auto-pedestrian accident, parties are encouraged to note down as much information as possible about the accident. It is also a good idea to take pictures of the scene incident. Witness statements and police reports are also very important and should be collected promptly. The injured party can then approach a qualified personal injury attorney who will help them evaluate and pursue a claim. The injured pedestrian may recover damages including past and future wage loss, pain and suffering, and all past and future medical expenses. If a pedestrian is killed in the collision, their families can pursue full compensation for their economic losses resulting from the death.
