When a person is involved in a serious car accident, Texas law requires citizens who are close-by to assist those involved in the wreck. A recent news story shows that if a person fails to help those in need, they could face severe punishment.
Early in August, 21-year-old Julio Rodriguez-Torres struck and killed 46-year-old Malcom Williams who was walking in a hotel driveway. Rodriguez-Torres was driving in a right-turn only lane on the service road of Interstate 35 when he veered off the road and hit Williams.
Rodriguez-Torres attempted to run from the crash scene; however, a witness was able to detain him before the cops arrived. He now faces charges of intoxication manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid after a deadly crash. According to KXAN, each charge is punishable with two to 20 years imprisonment.
How Many Deadly Traffic Crashes and Fatalities Have Occurred in Austin This Year?
As of August of 2014, there have been 31 deadly traffic crashes, which have resulted in 37 fatalities. KXAN notes that this time last year, “there were 50 deadly crashes and 51 fatalities.”
Nationally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that in 2012 there were 4,763 pedestrian deaths and an estimated 76,000 pedestrian injuries. In other words, a pedestrian either is killed every two hours or sustains injuries every seven minutes.
The NHTSA notes that fatal pedestrian accidents have been increasing over the last five years. This suggests that more needs to be done to protect them. The roads are not just for vehicles, they are for pedestrians and bicyclists too. Motorists need to be more aware of their surroundings when driving.
The Law Offices of Aaron Allison – Austin Personal Injury Attorney
