16-Year-Old Killed by Van while Jogging

The City of Phoenix has nearly 1.5 million people, making it one of the largest cities in the nation. When combined with the surrounding areas, including Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Mesa, the numbers swell substantially. The makeup of the Valley includes people of all ages from the very young to the elderly, making the greater Phoenix area a diverse place to live and work.

Many of those who call the Valley home are children and minors. Unfortunately, children are some of the most vulnerable citizens when it comes to being injured in an accident. Accidents involving children and minors often occur when a child is riding a bicycle, on a skateboard, riding a scooter, walking as a pedestrian, swimming in a pool, or even riding in a car. Regardless of the nature of the accident, the results are devastating when a child is hurt by the actions of another. The damage affects not only the child but also his or her entire family, friends, neighbors, and classmates. While nothing can remove these injuries once they occur, the injured child and his or her family may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their damages. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing minors may help you understand your legal options if your family has been affected by an accident.

A call to 911 triggered an investigation into a collision between a 16-year-old jogger and a van in San Tan Valley on Tuesday morning. Officials have confirmed that the teen was jogging along West Combs Road at approximately 5:00 a.m. when he was hit by a van driven by a 43-year-old man. The driver of the van allegedly claimed that he did not see the teen prior to the collision but that he felt the impact, leading him to stop his vehicle and investigate the area. When he saw the teen lying on the ground, he placed a call to 911 for help.

Emergency medical crews responded to the scene to help the teen but unfortunately his injuries were too severe and the teen died as a result of the crash.

Police also responded to the scene and spoke with witnesses, including the driver of the van. At this time, no charges are pending against the driver but authorities have indicated that their investigation is still ongoing.

When a teenager or a child is injured in an accident, the only concern on the mind of the victim and the victim’s family should be the health and well-being of the child; they should not have to worry about who will pay for medical expenses or how they will obtain the relief they deserve.

At Abels & Annes, P.C., our legal team is dedicated to the representation of those who have been hurt through the actions of others and we are standing by now to help you in your case. We offer a free, no obligation, confidential case consultation to those who contact us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and at Abels & Annes, P.C., we never charge our clients a fee unless we make a recovery in their case.

At Abels & Annes, P.C., we believe that those who have been harmed in accidents deserve to have their rights protected. If an accident has affected your family, let us help you seek the relief you are entitled to today.

Prior Blog Entry:

Police Looking for Hit-and-Run Driver in Fatal Teen Skateboarding Accident, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published September 23, 2014.

Resource:

San Tan Valley teen struck, killed by van while jogging, by Steve Stout, CBS5AZ.com, published September 24, 2014.