ILLINOIS WOMAN KILLED IN PEDICAB ACCIDENT
A 60-year-old Illinois woman was attending a convention in San Diego last week when she was involved in a fatal pedicab accident. She reportedly hit her head on the ground after falling out of a moving pedicab in the downtown area. The pedicab was traveling in an area where pedicabs and bicycles are prohibited. The pedicab driver, a resident of Turkey living in the US on a work visa, was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter.
In response to the accident, four San Diego City Council members have called for stricter regulations and oversight of pedicabs. Approximately 400 pedal-powered, three-wheeled pedicabs roam the streets of San Diego, particularly in the summer months, when tourists abound. The city council members believe the death underscores the need to step up oversight of the industry.
New proposed regulations include banning three-wheeled taxis from sidewalks and from streets with speed limits greater than 25 miles per hour. The city also wants to cap the number of pedicabs allowed to operate at 250 and further limit the number allowed in high-traffic areas.
Since at least 2000, pedicab drivers have been required to register with the City of San Diego. Each cab must have seat belts, but riders are not required to wear them. Police said that pedicab involved in last week's fatality did not have seat belts. The driver was reportedly swerving through a no-pedicab zone when the woman was thrown from the vehicle.
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of this woman.
If you have been injured in an accident, please contact The Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Kroll.
