Wednesday evening collision happened along Sterns Road
Erie, MI, (October 09, 2024) - A pedestrian was tragically killed after being struck by an SUV on Wednesday evening, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office reported. The incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. in Erie Township.
Jacob Calleja lost his life on Wednesday evening when he was struck by a motorist along Sterns Road in Erie Township.
A press release stated that a 35-year-old man from Toledo was driving east on Sterns Road with two juvenile passengers. For reasons still under investigation, the vehicle struck 42-year-old Jacob Calleja of East Tawas who was walking along the edge of the road.
First responders arrived to find Calleja in a nearby ditch. He was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The driver and passengers were not injured.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office Traffic Services Division is investigating the crash. Preliminary reports indicated that neither alcohol nor speed were factors in the incident.
PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
This tragic accident underscores the dangers that pedestrians face every day in this country.
According to data from the Governors Highway Safety Association, the number of pedestrian fatalities in the United States has grown substantially faster than all other traffic deaths. An estimated 7,342 pedestrian fatalities occurred in 2021, an increase of 13 percent from the previous year.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined,” said Candice Bond, a Managing Partner with Bond Legal.
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said Bond, an experienced pedestrian attorney.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Bond. The family of Jacob Calleja may be entitled to a wrongful death claim.
“Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of income and companionship, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident,” she added.
Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family through this difficult time while protecting their rights.
“Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth,” Bond noted. “However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
Newsline's national legal analyst Candice Bond is experienced in fatal pedestrian accidents, and if you or a family member need help she's available for a free consultation to guide you
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).