Any person’s death causes us to reflect on the fragility of life. When a young mother dies, it’s a terrible tragedy, not only for the individual but for the family that she leaves behind. As Maryland auto accident attorneys, my office is dedicated to helping families of victims who are killed in car, truck and motorcycle-related accidents.
Regardless of the circumstances, the result of a parent’s death can put a strain on a small family, especially in uncertain economic times. The recent news of a woman who was killed while pushing her baby’s stroller across a street makes the heartbreaking point that pedestrian safety is paramount in an urban setting.
According to reports, over 35,000 vehicles use the intersection where Mavi Maldonado lost her life. Police reports indicate that the mother and her 14-month-old son were trying to get to the bus stop when the mom was struck by a pickup truck near the entrance to the Golden Ring shopping in Baltimore County. She passed away several hours later.
Based on news article, 17-year-old Maldonado was allegedly struck by a ‘97 Ford F250 pickup truck going eastbound on Philadelphia Road just as she reached the sidewalk curb. According to Baltimore County police, the woman’s toddler was neither hit nor injured in the incident. The initial investigation did not show whether Maldonado or the force of the accident pushed the boy’s stroller out of harm’s way.
The boy’s father, who had earlier reported Maldonado missing, was reunited with his small son at Maryland Shock Trauma Center where the mother and toddler had been transported following the accident.
Although the driver of the truck, 45-year-old Wayne Cataldi, reportedly stopped to aid Maldonado, Baltimore County police were still investigating the cause of the accident at the time of the news article.
It has been suggested that the intersection where the accident occurred may be too dangerous for pedestrians crossing the roadway. The bus stop Maldonado was attempting to get to is close to the intersection of Philadelphia Road and Interstate 695.
Mother killed, toddler survives in weekend pedestrian accident, BaltimoreSun.com, April 26, 2010