Dong Ihn, 81, was killed in a Temecula car accident after he was struck by a teen driver, the night of October 16, 2011. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred along Deer Hollow near Pechanga Parkway. Officials say an 18-year-old man was driving a black Mazda 3 east on Deer Hollow when it hit the victim and his dog. Ihn died from his injuries as did the dog. Anyone with information about this crash is asked to contact traffic investigators at 951-696-3000. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Dong Ihn for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep this grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities, but 15 injuries happened as a result of pedestrian accidents in Temecula. In Riverside County as a whole, 39 people died and 370 were injured due to pedestrian accidents, during the same year.

Laws Relating to Pedestrians

Based on this news report, it appears that Ihn was crossing the roadway at the time of the incident. However, it is not clear if he was in a crosswalk. Under California law, motorists are required to yield right-of-way to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks.

California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: "The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection." The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk "shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian."

Fault and Liability

If the driver is determined to have been at fault, then, he could be held liable for Ihn's wrongful death. An experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer will be able to determine whether a dangerous condition on the roadway may have caused or contributed to the incident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway may also be held liable. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the incident.