According to the Union Leader, two runners sustained injuries after being struck by a vehicle while running in Bedford, New Hampshire, on Tuesday morning.
Frost on Windshield may be Factor in Crash
Thomas Ducharme, 58, and Gregory Uliasz, 58, ran the same route every morning along Pembroke Way at approximately 7:00 a.m. local time. The accident occurred when a 16-year-old driver struck the duo with his car, inflicting serious injuries to both runners.
Police say Ducharme sustained severe injuries and received treatment at Elliot Hospital, according to the Union Leader. Ducharme succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. Uliasz also received treatment at the hospital.
Police have not issued any citations or charges against the driver, according to the Union Leader. They believe the driver’s view may have been blocked by frost that remained on the windshield of the car.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
The following information regarding pedestrian-vehicle accidents is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- In 2014, 4,884 pedestrians died and an estimated 65,000 sustained injuries in traffic crashes in the United States.
- On average, a pedestrian died every 2 hours in traffic crashes.
- In 2014, pedestrians made up 15 percent of all traffic fatalities.
