Wednesday's crash at Mason Avenue claims life of Willowbrook woman, says police
OCEAN BREEZE, NY, (December 11, 2024) - Authorities say the pedestrian fatally struck by a vehicle on the Staten Island University Hospital grounds in Ocean Breeze Wednesday morning was 64-year-old Kathleen Murphy.
Kathleen Murphy, a 64-year-old Willowbrook resident, lost her life after being hit by a vehicle on the Staten Island University Hospital grounds in Ocean Breeze Wednesday morning, police said.
According to NYPD, the Willowbrook resident was hit at Mason Avenue near the parking lot at about 6:45 a.m. Preliminary reports suggest a Volkswagen SUV driven by a 67-year-old man was traveling southwest on the parking lot access road when it crashed into Murphy, who was walking northbound.
No other details about the tragic incident were immediately available.
This is an ongoing investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
According to official data, New York saw 235 pedestrian deaths, down from 285 in 2019. Overall, nineteen states saw decreases in pedestrian deaths, with 11 states reporting double-digit declines.
“In most instances, pedestrians possess the right of way when crossing an intersection or a street regardless of if they are in a marked crosswalk,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
“It is always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian.”
Bond, an experienced pedestrian accident attorney, noted that in cases such as this, it is imperative to have an independent probe conducted by a seasoned lawyer to help protect the rights of the victim's family and ease their burden as they recover from the tragic loss.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of any investigations, the family members of Kathleen Murphy may pursue a wrongful death claim. Survivors of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident such as this.
Bond, a national legal analyst for Newsline, said, “Grieving families of victims are sometimes overwhelmed by the legal processes that are in place to protect their rights. An attorney can be a valuable and compassionate resource to help guide a family during difficult times and ensure that those left behind receive the restitution they are entitled to.”
“No amount of money is enough for a victim or their family to deal with the trauma and pain they experienced after a catastrophic crash. However, an attorney can help ease the financial burden and provide a path forward,” Bond stated.
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).