Charlotte Pedestrian Accident Claims Life of Nurse Standing Outside North Carolina Assisted Living Facility
Susan Karabulut, a 33-year-old nurse who worked at the White Oak Manor retirement nursing home, was killed in a Charlotte, North Carolina pedestrian accident on Sunday. Karabulut was standing outside the assisted living facility when a car that drove onto the sidewalk where she was standing and fatally struck her. Another woman, 47-year-old Lisa McTe, suffered life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the car that struck her, 21-year-old Leah Anne Walton, has been charged with reckless driving, driving with no liability insurance, involuntary manslaughter, drug and marijuana paraphernalia possession, and driving with a revoked vehicle registration. Walton told police that she had briefly taken her eyes off the road to reach into her bag for a cigarette.
According to investigators, Walton crossed the double yellow line and drove across the lanes of opposing traffic before striking the two women. Karabulut was pronounced dead at the Charlotte, North Carolina pedestrian accident site.
Distracted Driving
It is never advisable to take your eyes off the road while driving. Acts that are harmless enough when done while not driving, such as looking at the radio while changing the station, reading directions on a map, choosing a new playlist on an iPod, or rifling through a makeup bag to find that right shade of lipstick can turn dangerous when these activities distract a motorist long enough that he/she ends up causing a North Carolina car crash resulting injuries or death.
It can take mere seconds for a catastrophic Charlotte, North Carolina motor vehicle crash to occur. The driver likely never intended to hurt anyone, but that doesn’t mean that he or she won’t be held liable in civil court. There also may be criminal charges.
Nurse struck and killed outside retirement home, Charlotte Observer, August 23, 2010
Woman charged in fatal pedestrian accident, News14Carolina, August 22, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Car Accidents With Pedestrians, Nolo
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
