Most residents of Pennsylvania would agree that it is an unfortunate occurrence when anyone is injured in an accident with a car. It seems even more tragic when it is a pedestrian that is hit.

This past weekend, a pedestrian was struck and killed while walking along the side of Interstate 70, close to North Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania. The accident occurred a little before 11:00 p.m., near Exit 42. At the time of the incident, it is thought that the 27-year-old man was on his way to the home of a family member. According to sources, the two lived within walking distance of each other.

The pedestrian was hit by a car driven by an individual whose driver's license had been suspended. To determine whether the driver was intoxicated when the pedestrian was hit, authorities conducted a toxicology test. Depending on the results of that test, the driver could be charged with a crime.

Two other vehicles were involved in the incident. They ran into each other as the drivers of the cars attempted to avoid the accident involving the pedestrian.

Sadly, it is all too common for pedestrians hit by cars to sustain serious injuries that result in death. This makes sense when one considers the difference in size and weight between a human and a motor vehicle. When a car hits a pedestrian, flesh and bone is all there is to absorb the power of the impact. Depending on the speed of the vehicle at the time of the collision, the damage done can be catastrophic.

Source: KDKA, "New Details In Deadly I-70 Pedestrian Accident," Jan. 30, 2012