Hazel Bryant Killed in Auburn Pedestrian Accident
The 7-year-old girl was struck by a vehicle backing out of a residential driveway
Hazel Bryant, 7, of Auburn, was killed in a pedestrian crash in Auburn, Washington, on May 22, according to police.
A neighbor backing a vehicle out of a residential driveway struck the child, who was on the sidewalk at the time. Investigators reviewed security camera footage showing the car moving in reverse before the collision occurred.
The girl's father performed CPR at the scene before paramedics arrived. Bryant was taken to Auburn Airport and airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where she died two days later.
The Auburn Police Department confirmed the driver showed no signs of impairment. Authorities stated the collision is not considered a criminal matter and no charges have been filed.
The family is now advocating for the installation of backup cameras in older vehicles to prevent similar tragedies.
Families navigating the sudden loss of a child face an unimaginable path forward. Whether a collision happens in a residential driveway or on a main road, independent investigators examine visibility, vehicle blind spots, and driver attention.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Driver attention failures account for a significant share of pedestrian fatalities, and cellphone records, in-cab camera footage, and witness accounts together often reveal a sequence of decisions that contradict initial reports submitted at the scene."
"A legal team can move quickly to compel that evidence, retain reconstruction specialists to establish what a driver could and should have seen, and guide affected families through every stage that follows," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What legal options exist when no criminal charges are filed in Auburn?
Even when law enforcement determines a driver was not impaired and files no criminal charges, the family of the deceased may still have grounds for a civil claim. Insurance adjusters frequently contact grieving families quickly, making early legal guidance important for preserving evidence like security footage.
"A finding that no criminal charges apply does not close the door on civil accountability, and an attorney can evaluate the full circumstances of a fatal crash to determine whether a viable claim exists under civil liability standards," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.
How common are fatal pedestrian collisions?
The collision adds to a rising toll of pedestrian death nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes across the country in 2023. In Washington state, pedestrian deaths increased to 128 that same year, representing 15.8% of all traffic deaths in the state.
If your loved one has been killed in a pedestrian accident, please contact our National Legal Analyst Bond of Bond Legal today for a no-cost analytical consultation.
Washington wrongful death statute
Under RCW § 4.20.010, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Washington applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.