In 2018, Georgia saw the highest number of pedestrian deaths since 1990. There were 32 more pedestrian deaths in 2018 than in 2017. This represents a trend of increasing deaths between 2008 and 2017. Other deaths from traffic accidents decreased over this time period. More startling, just five states accounted for half of all the nationwide pedestrian fatalities that occurred in the first half of 2018. Those states were Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. Two main reasons were cited for the increase in pedestrian deaths: population growth and a shift in auto sales from cars to light trucks and SUVs. Light trucks and SUVs decrease the driver’s ability to see pedestrians. Another factor listed was distracted driving.
The Rockdale Newton Citizen reports that two people died following a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 20.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening and involved a pedestrian attempting to cross I-20.
The pedestrian, a 70-year-old male, was attempting to cross Interstate 20 westbound near the GA Highway 138 interchange. The incident occurred shortly after 6:30 P.M. He was struck by a Nissan Maxima.
It is currently unknown why the male was attempting to cross the interstate.
After the first incident, there were two secondary crashes. One of the secondary accidents involved a Toyota SUV that was being driven by a man from Covington. He was stopped by the first accident on the interstate.
He was then rear-ended by a Nissan truck. A backseat passenger, identified as a 25-year-old female, was killed in the accident.
There were three other vehicles involved in the accidents, but no other details about those incidents were released.
The chain of accidents shut down I-20 westbound for several hours.
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