Man Killed in Auburn Pedestrian Accident at Auburn Folsom Road and Sunrise Ride Circle
Auburn, California (September 20, 2021) – An elderly pedestrian was struck and killed by an alleged drunken motorist Sunday evening at an intersection in Auburn, according to Auburn police.
At about 6:39 p.m. Sunday, September 19, authorities responded to the area of Auburn Folsom Road and Sunrise Ride Circle to investigate the report of a pedestrian having been hit by a vehicle.
Police said the pedestrian, only identified as a 78-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene, despite life-saving measures performed by medical personnel. His name has not been disclosed pending notification of family.
Authorities determined that the involved driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. The driver, later identified as Mikayla Graham, 25, of Granite Bay, was ultimately arrested and booked into the Auburn Placer County Jail on charges for DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter while being intoxicated.
The crash remains under investigation.
Notable Pedestrian Accident Statistics According to the California Office of Traffic Safety:
- 893 pedestrians were killed, and more than 14,000 were injured on California roadways in 2018.
- California's pedestrian fatality is almost 25% higher than the national average.
- California is among the leading states in pedestrian deaths.
Safety Tips for Pedestrians
- Make yourself visible to other road users by wearing bright colored clothes, reflector jackets, or using a flashlight when walking at night.
- Avoid distractions such as using your phone while on the streets.
- Cross streets on marked crosswalks and obey traffic lights.
- Always pay attention to your surroundings.
- Be predictable by observing all traffic rules and obeying signs and signals.
Safety Tips for Drivers
- Look out for pedestrians, particularly in hard-to-see conditions, for example, at night and in bad weather.
- Yield and be ready to stop whenever a pedestrian has the right-of-way.
- Be cautious when parking or backing up – pedestrians can move across your path.
- Observe all traffic rules.