Sadly, not even parking lots are safe for pedestrians. In addition to vehicles that are moving in and out of parking spaces, sometimes a vehicle from a road adjacent to the lot can suddenly careen into it, endangering any pedestrians or other drivers who get in the way and causing a car accident. Such a scenario occurred recently in the parking lot of a tire store off U.S. 601 here in South Carolina.
The driver of a vehicle on the highway’s southbound lane lost control of it. The vehicle then veered across the oncoming lanes of traffic and entered the parking lot. The vehicle plowed into a sign, three cars parked in the lot and a pedestrian. The driver of the out-of-control vehicle and a passenger in it suffered injuries and were taken to a hospital in the area. The pedestrian suffered fatal injuries.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol identified the stricken pedestrian as a beloved member of the South Carolina State University community. Eddie Moore, Jr. — fondly known as Eddie Moe — often performed with Marching 101 and was an avid fan. The crash that killed him remains under investigation.
While officials work to determine the cause of the car accident, his family may opt to pursue a wrongful death claim. They need only prove negligence on the part of the driver of the out-of-control vehicle for the court to consider an award of damages. A successfully litigated claim might result in monetary restitution that could be used to defray the unexpected financial losses incurred because of the victim’s death.
Source: wistv.com, “Beloved member of SC State community killed in accident,” Lara Saavedra, Dec. 18, 2014
