A 10-year old boy was killed while his sisters and pregnant mother were injured in a car accident in South Gate last Saturday.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the pedestrian accident occurred as Ricardo Mercado and his family were crossing Tweedy Boulevard at about 11:30 a.m. They had just bought popsicles at a nearby store when they were struck by a woman driving a Volkswagen SUV.

Ricardo's mother, Ana, suffered a broken leg while his sisters, Anita and Leticia, sustained scrapes and other injuries. They were rushed to Long Beach Memorial Hospital.

Sgt. Tim Williams of the South Gate Police Department said that they have not yet determined how fast the driver was going as she made a left turn from San Vincente Avenue onto Tweedy Boulevard. One witness however claimed that the driver had been speaking on her cell phone at the time of the car accident.

Firstly, I would like to send my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ricardo and I join them in praying for the speedy recovery of Ana, Anita and Leticia. It's always difficult when a tragic accident befalls such a young, vibrant family. Ricardo dreamed of being a pilot and was supposed to start the fifth grade next week.
Crash Site Unsafe For Pedestrians

While the details of the car accident are still vague, it seems clear that the area where the crash occurred experiences heavy pedestrian traffic. However, it also appears that there were not enough safety measures to protect the many people, young and old, who pass there every day. For example, the speed limit of 30 mph is not posted near the area and the nearest traffic light is located several streets away. The Los Angeles Times meantime also noted that the crosswalk is merely painted on the pavement without reflectors or lights.

Who should be held accountable for the tragic accident? Was everything done to protect the safety of pedestrians? A California personal injury lawyer can help answer these questions and make sure that victims of pedestrian accidents are properly compensated for their physical, emotional and financial losses. Consulting a physical injury lawyer meantime can also help ensure that similar accidents are avoided in the future and that the concerned authorities do whatever is needed to ensure the safety of our children and families on our roads.