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$3.3M Prince George?s County Pedestrian Accident Awarded Over Woman?s Maryland Wrongful Death

By Jack Lebowitz, Esq. and Vadim Mzhen, Esq.

A jury has awarded the family of Kelay Smith $3.3 million against the state of Maryland for her Prince George?s County pedestrian accident death. Kelay, 26, died when she was hit by a driver while walking on the 5700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, which is also called Route 4, on August 12, 2008. At the time Kelay, who was five months pregnant, was walking home with her sister Krystal Fletcher, 22, who was not injured. She and her unborn child died at the hospital.

The Maryland pedestrian deaths happened when a car driven by Petrello Cabbagestalk drove onto the shoulder of the road, striking Kelay and pedestrian Derrick R. ?Mooky? Jones. The 30-year-old Forestville resident died at the accident site. Cabbagestalk, whose car slammed into a tree, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

The family?s Maryland wrongful death lawyer contends that the pedestrian deaths were preventable. He says there is a 200 feet gap on the street where there are no guardrails or sidewalk. That is where the Prince George?s County traffic crash happened. He believes that the state could have done more to make that area of the road safer for pedestrians.

The jury's verdict awards $800,000 to Kelay?s mom Vicki Muhammed and $2.5 million to her daughter Kayla, who was 2 when the tragic accident happened.

Maryland Pedestrian Accidents
There are many reasons for why a pedestrian death might happen. Driver error or recklessness, pedestrian negligence, faulty traffic signs, poorly designed roads, and auto defects are some of the more common causes. Although nothing will ever make up for the loss of a loved one, you may be able to hold all negligent parties liable. An experienced Prince George's County personal injury law firm can determine what happened and help prove your case.

$3M jury award in Md. pedestrian death, The Washington Post, March 11, 2011

Jury finds Maryland liable for failing to include a sidewalk, Greater Greater Washington, March 11, 2011

Third Victim in District Heights Crash Identified; Family Speaks Out, WJLA, August 2008

Driver in Pedestrian Deaths Had Recent Traffic Ticket, WUSA9, August 14, 2008

More Blog Posts:
Car Accidents Caused by Negligence, Nolo

Pedestrian Safety, Maryland.gov

More Blog Posts:
Maryland Mother and Children Hit, Severely Injured By Taxicab Driver Speeding on Suspended License, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, March 10, 2011

Early Evening Pedestrian Traffic Accident Leaves Grandmother and Grandchild Injured in Rockville, Maryland, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, February 27, 2011

Maryland Auto Injury News: Three Restaurant Customers Injured When Car Crashes into Building, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, December 13, 2011

Full post as published by Maryland Accident Law Blog on March 14, 2011 (boomark / email).