Man on scooter killed in South Bend crash Save Email Print
South Bend, IN
Posted: 9:25 PM Jul 23, 2008
 Last Updated: 11:04 AM Jul 24, 2008
12 comments
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A 61-year-old man crossing the street in an electric scooter was killed today near downtown South Bend.

Police say the man was in the crosswalk at Hill and LaSalle streets when a truck turned onto LaSalle and hit him.

The driver told police he did not see the man before he turned.

The victim was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
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Posted by: AT A LOSS Location: LOCAL on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:23 PM
You all speak with passion or lack of it. you decide.long story short the media has not all the facts. all I know is I lost a friend and nothing can bring him back. He will be missed this Sunday and I hope and Pray that we can learn from this and maybe some of the ingorant people that seems to be running rampid in our Goverment and society will turn around and take a look at what they are doing to one another. He was in a chair not by choice.and was taken way to soon.
Posted by: Margaret Location: South Bend on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:16 PM
Yes my mom taught me that pedestrians have the right of way-however pedestrians have to use their brains too. You don't walk out in front of a moving car. When you are a pedestrian, you must know that the car is bigger than you and maybe the person driving may be temporarily distracted. I obviously know how to drive because I have never hit anyone and I know how to cross the street because I have never been hit.
Posted by: svengali Location: elkhart on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Did not see him is an admission of guilt of reckless driving causing death. Next case please.
Posted by: Julia Location: South Bend on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:17 PM
They arent "scooters".
Posted by: Amy Location: South Bend on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Margaret: Did your mother also teach you that pedestrians have the right of way? The gentleman had to already be in the cross walk when he was hit,how could he anticipate that a truck would come along and hit him before he was able to fully cross the street? The driver must not have been paying attention, he didn't even try to stop. You shouldn't be making a right hand turn at such a high rate of speed that you can't stop quickly. You sound like a piece of work.
Posted by: Leo Location: Granger on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:27 PM
61 years old is not "elderly", just because he was in a power chair doesn't mean that he was "elderly", he was just older than some others. I'm sure the driver feels very bad, however I was always taught that pedestrians have the right of way, regardless if the light even turns red before you get across. I'm sure we all need to be more cautious before making those turns. I think the law of "turning right on red", has brought about carelessness also. I know I have had drivers just glance when they have the red and keep going. I am not saying this is what this driver did. I do feel bad for him also. My prayers are with the family of the not yet "senior" age gentleman who lost his life.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:21 PM
"did not see him" thats the same lame excuse people in cars & trucks use when they cause a motorcycle accident. I say that if you didn't see whoever you hit or caused to hit you, YOU SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING!
Posted by: s on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:02 PM
pedestrians do have the right of way if the red hand isn't flashing at them. The pedestrian lights do change from green to red.
Posted by: J Location: SB on Jul 24, 2008 at 09:56 AM
The original article said the elderly man had the walk sign. The light turned green, he started to cross, and this truck turned without looking and crushed him. Pretty straight forward. So, to Margaret ...it is the responsibility of the driver of ANY vehicle to slow at intersections and check before turning. Did you mom teach you to look out for idiots not paying attention? It's unconscionable to me that you are putting this on the pedestrian. Pedestrians (and cyclists) ALWAYS have the right of way! Get it through your thick skulls people ... you can't just run people down and say you had the right of way! Have we become that inconsiderate of a society?? I pray for this man's family ... and for Pat Sawyers as well!
Posted by: Jeff Location: South Bend on Jul 24, 2008 at 08:07 AM
The only way the driver could not see the man before he turned is if the driver did not slow down and look before he turned. The article did not say if one or both parties had the green light but pedestrians in a crosswalk should have the right of way. This appears to be another senseless death, just like the bicyclist last week.
Posted by: Margaret Location: South Bend on Jul 24, 2008 at 07:25 AM
This is a very sad story and I am sorry that the elderly gentleman lost his life. But, just like bike riders, motor cyclists,pedestrians and scooter riders have to realize that cars and trucks cannot just stop on a dime and give you 9 cents change. There is such a thing as common sense and making prudent decisions. I think my mom taught me that when I learned to cross busy streets.
Posted by: Me Location: Granger on Jul 24, 2008 at 07:11 AM
Beware....bikes and scooters are everywhere.
Posted by: Denise Location: South Bend on Jul 24, 2008 at 05:50 AM
So it will take longer to fill potholes now? Come on! I thought we paid the wheel tax for street repairs. Where is that money going?
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