Last month a pedestrian accident occurred in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that resulted in the death of a man. The 61-year-old man was hit by a car during rush hour where Liberty Avenue and Grant Street intersect.

After the accident, the man, from Baden, was reportedly alert and talking with the paramedics who were attending to his injuries. Despite having sustained injuries to both his head and torso, he was considered to be in stable condition and taken to UPMC Mercy hospital. It was there, a few days later that he died from his injuries.

This is sadly another example of devastating pedestrian accidents can be. This is so for several reasons. The first is the difference in size and weight between a motor vehicle and a human being. Another reason is a pedestrian's lack of protection. A person who is encased in a steel car has the vehicle to absorb the impact of any collision that might occur. While it is of course still possible for occupants of a motor vehicle to be injured in a car accident. If the accident involves a pedestrian, the likelihood is much higher that it will be the person outside of the car who will be hurt.

The incident is still under investigation by the police. In addition to interviews with witnesses and the driver of the vehicle who hit the man, when they become available, investigators will look at final reports being worked on by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's office. In addition, they are attempting to reconstruct the accident. Currently charges have not been filed relating to the accident. The outcome of the investigation will likely dictate whether that will change.

Source: Beaver County Times, "Pedestrian fatality still under investigation," Jenny Wagner , Jan. 17, 2012