PALMDALE – A man died Saturday afternoon (Dec. 8) after being struck by at least two cars as he was carrying his groceries across a busy Palmdale street, authorities said.
The incident happened around 3:25 p.m. on Avenue S near 50th Street East in Palmdale, according to Palmdale Station Watch Commander Lt. Sylvies.
“He was crossing the street outside the crosswalk and basically walked out in front of traffic,” Sylvies said. “Numerous cars had to brake to try to avoid him, and it appears that two different cars did strike him.”
The man was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4 p.m.
The man’s name was not being released Saturday, pending notification of next of kin. Sylvies said the pedestrian was a Hispanic male who was about 42 years old.
Neither speed nor alcohol appears to be a factor in the collision Sylvies said. The incident remains under investigation, and further information on the crash was not immediately available Saturday.
Editor’s Note: We will have more information on this story as the details become available.
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dumbandblind says
Simple: Follow the law or die.
Jaywalking Laws in California
Selected California Vehicle Codes (CVC) Relating to Pedestrian Jewalking
Selected Definitions:
CVC §
110. “Alley” is any highway having a roadway not exceeding 25 feet in width which is primarily used for access to the rear or side entrances of abutting property; provided, that the City and County of San Francisco may designate by ordinance or resolution as an “alley” any highway having a roadway not exceeding 25 feet in width.
275. “Crosswalk” is either: (a) That portion of a roadway included within the prolongation or connection of the boundary lines of sidewalks at intersections where the intersecting roadways meet at approximately right angles, except the prolongation of such lines from an alley across a street. (b) Any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, there shall not be a crosswalk where local authorities have placed signs indicating no crossing.
365. An “intersection” is the area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways, of two highways which join one another at approximately right angles or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
467. (a) A “pedestrian” is a person who is afoot or who is using any of the following: (1) A means of conveyance propelled by human power other than a bicycle. (2) An electric personal assistive mobility device.
(b) “Pedestrian” includes a person who is operating a self-propelled wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle and, by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian, as specified in subdivision (a).
530. A “roadway” is that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.
Selected Pedestrian Laws:
CVC §
21106. (a) Local authorities, by ordinance or resolution, may establish crosswalks between intersections. (b) Local authorities may install signs at or adjacent to an intersection directing that pedestrians shall not cross in a crosswalk indicated at the intersection. It is unlawful for any pedestrian to cross at the crosswalk prohibited by a sign.
21453(b) CVC – Right Turn on Red Light – [Summary, not verbatim] A driver, after stopping for a steady circular red signal, may turn right. However, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to traffic using the cross street.
21456 CVC – Walk, Wait, or Don’t Walk – Whenever a pedestrian control signal showing the words “WALK” or “WAIT” or “DONT WALK” or other approved symbol is in place, the signal shall indicate as follows:
(a) “WALK” or approved “Walking Person” symbol. A pedestrian facing the signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal, but shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully within the intersection at the time that signal is first shown.
(b) Flashing or steady “DONT WALK” or “WAIT” or approved “Upraised Hand” symbol. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed crossing shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety zone or otherwise leave the roadway while the “WAIT” or “DONT WALK” or approved “Upraised Hand” symbol is showing.
21950(a) CVC – Right-of-Way at Crosswalks – 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, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. (b) The provisions of this section shall not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for his or her safety. No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. No pedestrian shall unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. (c) The provisions of subdivision (b) shall not relieve a driver of a vehicle from the duty of exercising due care for the safety of any pedestrian within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
21951 CVC – Vehicles Stopped for Pedestrians – Whenever any vehicle has stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
21952. The driver of any motor vehicle, prior to driving over or upon any sidewalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian approaching thereon.
21953. Whenever any pedestrian crosses a roadway other than by means of a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing, if a pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing serves the place where the pedestrian is crossing the roadway, such pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the highway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard. This section shall not be construed to mean that a marked crosswalk, with or without a signal device, cannot be installed where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing exists.
21954(a) CVC – Pedestrians Outside Crosswalk – Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard. (b) The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver of a vehicle from the duty to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian upon a roadway.
21955 CVC – Crossing Between Controlled Intersections – Between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signal devices or by police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the roadway at any place except in a crosswalk.
21956. No pedestrian shall walk upon any roadway outside of a business or residence district otherwise than close to his left-hand edge of the roadway.
21961. Local Authorities may establish more restrictive pedestrian laws – This chapter does not prevent local authorities from adopting ordinances prohibiting pedestrians from crossing roadways at other than crosswalks.
21963. A totally or partially blind pedestrian who is carrying a predominantly white cane (with or without a red tip), or using a guide dog, shall have the right-of-way, and the driver of any vehicle approaching this pedestrian, who fails to yield the right-of-way, or to take all reasonably necessary precautions to avoid injury to this blind pedestrian, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both. This section shall not preclude prosecution under any other applicable provision of law.
21964. No person, other than those totally or partially blind, shall carry or use on any highway or in any public building, public facility, or other public place, a predominantly white cane (with or without a red tip).
MR. PERPLEXED IN THE AV says
IN SOME OTHER PUBLICATION THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE YOUNG MALE DRIVER WAS SPEEDING AND NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE ROAD, HE WAS LOOKING DOWN AT HIS RADIO, WHEN HE BECAME AWARE THAT OTHER CARS WERE STOPPED HE TRIED TO, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE, HE SKIDDED OUT CONTROL HITTING THAT POOR PEDESTRIAN!!
WOW says
I was there right after this happened. The driver of the Acura did not see the pedestrian and was trying to avoid an accident. The young man was kneeling an praying over the man that got hit by these cars…He tried to avoid an accident and a tragedy occurred.The other car involved did not stop until the last second..Unfortunately people are always crossing that street against traffic and the speed limit is 45 in the section he was hit even at that speed a last second stop is not possible. He did try to stop and yes he lost control of his car but if he did something wrong it was trying to avoid rear ending the other car and not seeing the guy crossing the road…There were plenty of witnesses that said this guy did everything he could to avoid an accident..
dumbandblind says
The Price of Violation of Vehicle Code Section 21955 (classic jaywalking) is an infraction, not a misdemeanor. As of 2010, the fine can be as high as $191 depending where the infraction occurs. Why have such laws? Pedestrian restrictive movement laws help reduce and prevent injuries and fatalities. As motorists and pedestrians, we need to obey traffic laws that assure our safety and the safety of others. Go figure, this is a painful lesson for other jaywalkers out there also the price to pay could be as expensive as your life.
Oh no! says
Hate to see the death of a person but what can one expect to happen when they step out in front of a moving vehicle and expect to have the right of way. I have had people step on the road ahead of me forcing me to stop and then I get the eye like I was in the wrong. People do this because they have no feelings for anyone else, they are the only person on this earth that matters.
Star says
I drive this road at least 6 times a day and there are always jay walkers. Many times at night there are jay walkers wearing all black. The kids who go to Shadow Hills also take a lot of chances. There will always be sun in your eyes in the morning heading East and in the evening heading West. Many people do not want to take the extra steps to go to the crosswalks or lights. Many people dart across on their bikes. And the speed limit is what?? I think it’s 55, and it’s just too fast to react. People fly down 70th in front of Knight High School..there has been a girl hit there in the past. I think the speed limits need to be reduced.
Johny Chingas says
Star… I agree with you 100%. We live on Avenue S at Visions St.We see this everyday on our way to 47th. St. We even see kids on their scooters, skateboards running across this street.
The reason might be is because there is no a Crosswalk for Pedestrians between Hillcrest Dr. and 47th Street?
Still… not a reason to risk the live……..
Palmdale_Steve says
LA Times had a bit more on the story.
“Authorities did not immediately report any citations for the drivers, who were identified as Kaleb Taylor, 22, and Vanessa Downs-Bell, 52, both of Palmdale. Taylor was driving the Acura that initially struck the man, authorities said.”
Notagain!!!! says
UMMM I REALLY DON’T GET IT AS TO HOW YOU WOULDN’T SEE A PERSON CROSSING!!!! I BET YOU THE JAIL WALKER DIDN’T JUST JUMP IN FRONT OF THE CAR!!! WAS THE DRIVER OF THE ACURA TESTED FOR ANY SUBSTANCE? WAS HE ON HIS CELL PHONE OR TEXTING?? JUST DOESN’T MAKE SENCE!!!
Victo says
If you read the article you will see that both drivers were tested and found clean, also speeding was not a concern here. I live near this street. If someone decides to cross when a car is coming, there is no way that a car can stop in time. These days pedestrians expect all drivers to stop from 30 mph on a dime. Not to say that this pedicular pedestrian had this in mind. This is a sad day for the families, and for the drivers. They must be living a hell right now thinking of this. Read the article before placing blame.
Palmdale_Steve says
@notagain
3:30 PM in the winter the sun is pretty low in the sky making it hard to see, pretty sure that was a factor in accident.
Oh by the way, it J-Walk, not Jail Walker.
Raptorman says
Being where it was at, it could be “Jail Walker.”
Oops, too soon.
Really? says
Parapraxis
Notagain!!!! says
REALLY SAD!! BUT PEDESTRIANS NEEDS TO OBEY THE LAWS TOO!!! IVE STOPPED FOR JAIL WALKERS BEFORE BUT DANGGG! SOME OFF THEM GIVE YOU ATTITUDE TALKING SHIZZZZ AS YOU WAIT FOR THEM TO CROSS!!! WELL GUESS WHUT!! THE LAW STATES WE DON’T HAVE TO STOP IF SOMEONE IS JAIL WALKING!!! BUT DONT GET ME WRONG, I FEEL BAD FOR THIS PERSON WHO IS NOT WITH US ANYMORE!!
Vivian says
If you Guys would have seen what Happened you would have a Different opinion about the Pedestrian I saw it first hand and I can assure you it wasn’t his Fault he was hit, granted you shouldn’t Cross a busy road like that he wasn’t trying to be supreme he was walking home with his Groceries looked for the all Clear and walked across the Street I’m telling you as a first hand Witness this man was not trying to dodge or just walk into traffic it was a tragic incident and I’m sure everyone has crossed the street outside of the Croas walk once or twice every now and then!
John Howard says
What part of illegal don’t you understand… oh.. wait.. yea.. forget it.
Vivian says
Your Whit Astounds me!
anotherdummy says
How do so many people fail to recognize the imminent danger before they walk out in the street? Maybe they think the cars will stop…. It’s a whole lot harder to bring a fast-moving 1500+ pound machine to a halt than it is to just wait or walk to the crosswalk and push a button.
Tommy says
Sorry he lost his life, but with that said I have never seen a place where so many people J-walk like they do in the Antelope Valley, I’am surprised that more don’t get killed.
Dorve up on it says
I totally agree…as i drove up, people were running to him. I thought, thats odd no one ever runs across this street. The take their time all gangster and all. Thier stupid people out there. It’s now 4 lanes and it’s going to get worse. The skid marks go southeast going out of shopping area..but if the other car coming the way lost his vision due to sun going down..that made him swerve and then made the other car react and poor dude in the middle. Blessing to his family.
Palmdale_Steve says
@Tommy
What did Darwin say about “Survival of the fittest” ? The person I most feel sorry for is the driver of the car that hit the J-walker, the guy killed of course was someone’s family member and will be missed for sure.
Driver of the car minding their own business and someone walks out in front of you, man that would shake me up for some time.
WOW says
Palmdale_Steve..The driver of the black car was kneeling over this man praying he alternated between praying and apologizing..He was devastated he is a young man and he was not driving recklessly or to fast for the sped limit…this was a tragic accident..I feel for both this young man and the family that lost their loved one…
Yo Mama says
This just in…….We don’t have an “S” on our chests. Anyway, see ya…
This Just in says
What??^^ does that even mean SMFH
Bob says
Pedestrians aren’t Superman, I think.