Ventura Man Struck By Car While Jogging, Killed

Early Sunday morning, a Ventura, CA man was struck and killed by a vehicle while jogging, according to CBS Los Angeles.

Details of the Fatal Car Accident

Police reports say the accident occurred at 6:50 a.m. local time. The victim, identified as Christopher Prewitt, 38, was jogging on South Victoria Avenue when a vehicle struck and killed him.

The driver of the vehicle, Shante Chappell, 23, was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter as well as driving under the influence of drugs, said the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. CBS news says Chappell was released on $50,000 bond and has a court appearance scheduled for Friday.

Reports say that Prewitt lived with serious hearing loss his entire life. Prewitt was an assistant principal at DeAnza Academy of Technology and Arts. The school principal, Hector Guerrero told CBS that Prewitt was an inspiration to students.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident than vehicle occupants. In 2010, 4,280 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents and an additional 70,000 sustained injuries.

The CDC also provides the following pedestrian safety tips:

• Pedestrians should walk on the sidewalk whenever possible, but if it is necessary to walk in the street, pedestrians should walk facing traffic.
• At night, pedestrians can increase their visibility by carrying a flashlight and wearing reflective clothing.
• Pedestrians should use crosswalks whenever possible.