An elderly woman was killed Monday evening as she was attempting to make her way across the street in the Rancho San Diego area.

According to the California Highway Patrol and the San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office, 83 year old Dorothy Stephens, a resident of La Mesa, was trying to cross the street in the 10800 block of Calle Verde with a friend when they were struck by a Chevrolet Express 3500 van at about 6:30 p.m.

At this time the accident is still under investigation. It is unclear if the driver of the van, a 55 year old man from La Mesa, was at fault, or if he will receive any kind of punishment. Witnesses to the crash said that he did not appear to be speeding or driving erratically when the two women were hit.

The van driver did not flee from the scene, but rather stayed to answer questions for police. It is currently being determined whether or not the two elderly women walked out into the road without the proper right of way.

Emergency responders took Stephens from the scene to a nearby park to wait for a helicopter to airlift her to the nearest hospital. Unfortunately, she died in the park before the air ambulance arrived.

Her 77 year old friend was transported by ground to another nearby hospital for injuries initially described as serious. It is unknown if she will be able to make a full recovery.

It is always important to be absolutely certain when crossing the street that you are both in a legal crosswalk, and are clearly visible to any approaching traffic. In the darkening evening hours, it can be easy to miss a person attempting to cross.

If you or someone you know has been hurt in an accident trying to cross the street, help is available to you. Depending on the circumstances that led to your accident, you may be entitled to compensation to help you pay off the financial burden of any damages you incurred.

At AA Accident Attorneys, we can help you recover the full amount that you rightfully deserve. Our San Diego accident lawyers are experienced professionals, having been handling cases just like yours for years.

We can help you win settlement from the liable parties involved in your accident to get you onto the road to recovery. We will not charge you a thing for our services until your case is won. Call our accident lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss your options!